engine temp on a 2ltr Aircooled

[Dartmoor]

sounds a bit steep tempreture wise......

is ALL the tinware present??

is the engine bay seal complete and present??

any hot air leaking back in will cause hotter running.

finally what make is the gauge??

was it from another vehicle or is it a kit??

could be a faulty gauge / sender........

I have an Aircooled 1981 vintage. My non-tech approach is: does it smell hot? And can you comfortably hold the oil dipstick - which will be hot, but should be fine for the end with your fingers. If you can hold the dipstick ok, then I reckon the engine is cooling. Sorry, that's very non technical, but an easy test.

[martin t25]

there is no point having a temp gauge in any air cooled motor ,you will constantly be looking at in getting worried, 99% of gauges are very inaccurate anyway. if you were running too hot you wouldnt get anywhere for cutting out

[Dartmoor]

there is no point having a temp gauge in any air cooled motor ,you will constantly be looking at in getting worried, 99% of gauges are very inaccurate anyway. if you were running too hot you wouldnt get anywhere for cutting out

Exactly the advice I was given by a VW fan! Good advice - dials are one more thing to worry about. Guess with a/c- check tinware rubber seal thing, keep clean new oil and filters, ensure oil cooler is working etc.

I see Maplins are selling an infrared temp checker - you just point it at a piece of engine and you get a reading from the surface temp of the metal. Guess that's an option if you want to check things occasionally.

[bigherb]

I agree, to many variables fitting aftermarket gauges sensor location and type etc etc. If its tuned properly and the cooling system tinware is in place and the thermostat working then it will be ok.

[ju]

I think certain extra gauges have their benefits. Once you get used to what they read as a 'norm', it is very easy and quick to spot a problem before your engine gets fried etc, its not the values they read, its if they change doing what they normally do, IMHO.

Ju

[Flibbertigibbet]

If you suddently feel like you are pulling a traction engine behind you whilst driving then you are probably overheating.........I now have a watercooled engine and am always checking the temp gauge is horrible and one more thing to worry about