Engine operating temperature.

[Bonfireboy]

Hello all.
Just fitted an after market water temperature sender and gauge as the original one is giving me grief.
I intend to fix the original but running out of time before my first big trip in my van and I'm a little paranoid about the engine over heating.
The gauge displays the temperature in degrees C, however I don't know the operating temperature of the engine.
Could someone enlighten me to what temperature range should a healthy diesel 1.6 turbo engine operates at.
Cheers.

[kevtherev]

what temp does your thermostat open?

[Hacksawbob]

and the engine is?

[Red Westie]

Running temperature low 80's to high 90's...
The thermo switch gives a few pointers ie:
1st speed fan comes on at 87°C and goes off again at 76°C
2nd speed fan comes on at 93°C and that goes off at 82°C

From that the middle of the gauge is probably around 85C (my first speed fan comes on a nats past 12'Oclock position, not quite 1 O'clock if that makes sense). It used to be a bit higher before I fitted a new WAHL thermo switch.

Martin