should I be worried?

[PhillyB87]

Well guys.. I finally got to bring home my stang today... its a blast to drive (can't wait to throw on a new set of heads, cam and intake ). I noticed today tho while driving it, the temp. gauge needle slowly treads up and down between the "O" and "M" on the temp gauge ( you all with fox bodies know how the cluster is.) Should i be worried or is that a commen thing on these cars??

 

[slow93]

you should get a good temp guage,the stock ones are almost always wrong then you can see what temp your car is acually running.

 

[90mustangGT]

Agreed, the stock gauge isn't very good. Mine goes up and down if I turn the light on and off.

This could also mean other things. Does it do this durring idle or low speeds, or just cruising constantly, or depending on throttle position?

If it does this constantly, it may be the thermostat begining to stick. If it only rises at or right after idle or low speeds then it is most likley the fan clutch, if it does this when your getting on it a lot it's just the stock radiator not able to keep up.

 

[Killer50stang]

Well guys.. I finally got to bring home my stang today... its a blast to drive (can't wait to throw on a new set of heads, cam and intake ). I noticed today tho while driving it, the temp. gauge needle slowly treads up and down between the "O" and "M" on the temp gauge ( you all with fox bodies know how the cluster is.) Should i be worried or is that a commen thing on these cars??

"M" in the stock gauge isn't overheating so there are no worries. I have to agree and say the stock gauge does suck. If you don't want to spend big $$ on autometer, you can pick up sun pro stuff at autozone or advanced for cheap. Good luck!

 

[PhillyB87]

Agreed, the stock gauge isn't very good. Mine goes up and down if I turn the light on and off.

This could also mean other things. Does it do this durring idle or low speeds, or just cruising constantly, or depending on throttle position?

If it does this constantly, it may be the thermostat begining to stick. If it only rises at or right after idle or low speeds then it is most likley the fan clutch, if it does this when your getting on it a lot it's just the stock radiator not able to keep up.

Now that you mention that about the lights.. It wasnt doin it during the day ( day time it ran right on the O or a little below).. only at night time But how in the hell could the lights affect the temp gauge? The temp guage moves around constantly.. idling, crusing, low speeds. everything.. The car has a 3 row Alum. radiator on it. As soon as it hits the M on the gauge it slowly goes back down to the O and continued that cycle the rest of the night. I'll go drive it here shortly and see if its still doin it.