Water temp gauge, normal operating temp?

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
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Fredericksburg, VA
I just installed an aftermarket water temp gauge and it seems like it is too high. What is the normal operating temp in degrees? Before I took out the stock one, the temp was a hair below the middle of the gauge. So, it was normal. I looked in the TSRM and couldn't find a definite answer. Or maybe I'm just retarded. I appreciate the help.
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
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Valley of the Sun
You want the coolant to be between 176 and 210 deg F.
Below 176 deg, you are in warm-up enrichment...you will run rich. Above ~210 deg, the ECU retards timing to help prevent detonation.
 

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
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Fredericksburg, VA
Thanks jdub. I think something is wrong with the wiring. It's an electric temp gauge. It was at like 240 degrees :aigo: .
 

Guyana00

Droppin that JZ in soon!
Apr 18, 2007
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Brampton, ON
Post a pic of the digital gauge, I wanna see how it looks :icon_razz ...like does it fit in the dash or did you mount it in an alternate location?
 

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
3,109
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Fredericksburg, VA
jdub. I think my problem is that I used the signal from the stock water temp gauge. I hooked back up the factory gauge and it was reading fine. I am going to use the sensor that came with the gauge and see how that works.


Guyana00- They are electric gauges, not digital. I'll be posting up a pic soon of what they look like.
 

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
3,109
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Fredericksburg, VA
I have a question about installing the sensor for the water temp gauge. Do I have to drill and tap a hole where the stock one is? Or can I drill a hole in a radiator hose and install the sensor there with a nut tightening it down? I've never done this before, so bare with me. Thanks
 

bwest

Drafting, not tailgating
May 18, 2005
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HippieTown, CA
on the back of the block, under the exhaust manifold, there is a 3/8bspt plug that is in a water jacket. get a 3/8bspt > 1/8npt adapter (most senders are 1/8npt), drop it an you should be fine.

you'll probably have to go to an actual hose shop to find that fitting.
 

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
3,109
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Fredericksburg, VA
bwest said:
on the back of the block, under the exhaust manifold, there is a 3/8bspt plug that is in a water jacket. get a 3/8bspt > 1/8npt adapter (most senders are 1/8npt), drop it an you should be fine.


I have a 1jz, is there anything like that on my block?