Operating Temp For Rb20det In R32

[Hakai]

First off, I really do apologise if this has been covered before, I tried the search function for about 30min and found nothing of help to me.

I recently bought my first Skyline, also my first Turbo car. Absolutely amazing to drive. The suspension is far from standard, adjustable, I believe but am yet to confirm as coilovers. Exhaust is awsome, nice low growl, non intrusive, immaculate interior etc. Sorry this is all irrelevant, I'm just soo happy with the car

Engine is 100% stock. I've read alot here about people buying cars with idiotic and dangerous engine mods, mine is, as far as I can tell and see, completely standard.

Problem is this, although I don't know if it's a problem or not, hence the question

The temp the coolant runs at has be worried a little. My cars before this were a 5speed VL (RB30), and an N14 Pulsar. Both ran at about 33% of the temp gauge for normal operation. The Skyline runs at about 60-66% of the temp gauge.

I checked the coolant, it was dirty dirty brown and stunk like sh!t. I did my first radiator flush/refill on it, gotta learn somehow I guess heh. Was cumbersom, but after a few hours and a few stops to check coolant level, I got it sorted and now the level is fine and overflow is fine. However; Temp still sits on 60-66% of the gauge. The other issue I'm worried about is the fact that after about 2-3 hours of being off, the engine retains a rather large amount of heat. I just stopped in at a mates for 2 hours, gauge was at normal 60-66% reading when turbo timer turned the car off. Got back in 2 hrs after it turned off, gauge was still at about 45% reading before I kicked her over. Quickly heated back up to around 66% and sat there as it always does.

I'm really concerned, this is probably the most idiotic, newbie question ever asked, but I am so happy with the car and if anything is wrong I really want to know fast so I can get the thing fixed and continue to enjoy the brilliant drive If nothing is wrong, call me a moron and I'll still be happy

Please, let me know if this is normal operating temperature and/or normal temperature decay (as in the engine as a rule retains heat this way for everyone), or if it's fine and I can stop worrying.

Just a note: Tonight, after the 2 hrs stop, I popped the bonnet before I started her to see if maybe the engine was cool, and maybe the sensor for the temp gauge was faulty, but the actual engine (rocker cover, inlet manifold etc) was still very warm.

Thanks in advance and apologies for the long repetetive post. I'm tierd and concerned

Regards,

Ben.

[blind_elk]

It's not an idiotic question - the only idiotic question is the one you DON'T ask. So I'd say that doesn't make you a moron.

When you popped the bonnet, you would have noticed that it's pretty crowded in there. So there's not much chance for fresh air to circulate and take away a bit of heat.

As for the gauge, the needle sits probably around half way at least under normal conditions. So what you see is probably normal.

[Cubes]

The skylines temp guage is designed in such a way to prevent you worrying.

~Half on the guage is anywhere from ~70degree's right up to a shade over 100degree's.

The guage is decieving, if you look again and judge the position of the needle from the actual H mark you will see it is pretty much spot on 50%. The little line that goes up to 3/4 makes it look more.

The skylines also warm up very quick, mine takes no less than 1-2km's.

[Hakai]

  blind_elk said:

It's not an idiotic question - the only idiotic question is the one you DON'T ask. So I'd say that doesn't make you a moron.

When you popped the bonnet, you would have noticed that it's pretty crowded in there. So there's not much chance for fresh air to circulate and take away a bit of heat.

As for the gauge, the needle sits probably around half way at least under normal conditions. So what you see is probably normal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, it's crowded in there and the heat decay being really slow is normal.

The heating up quick (1-2kms, that's pretty much what mine does) is normal too!!

I love you guys

Thanks heaps.

[Cubes]

You will find most newish cars stay very hot under the hood.

My old VS 5ltr commodore I think was actually a little hotter than the Skyline, pop the bonnet on that and you couldn't touch anything.

[ToF]

Yer my 32 is the same as well, worried me at first but was assured near the middle was normal operating temperature.

[AntonRx7]

mine takes quiet a long time to warm up dono if this is a good thing or not.

[Cubes]

If its a little slow warming up its probably running an aftermarket thermostat. They open much earlier and wider than the genuines.

The genuine thermostats open smaller amounts and are also slower closing.

In VL Commodores I've found aftermarket thermostats to cause slight over heating if hammering up a long hill with the a/c on at 1/2 throttle (Willunga Hill = Big arsed Hill).

The Genuines run the car slightly warmer but hold a much more consistent temperature without the horrible overheats up Willunga Hill.

I've never bothered with an aftermarket in the Skyline, I do know of one that keeps quite cool and often seens track days without overheating hiccups. So I'd assume an aftermarket thermostat (cheapy) in the Skylines works quite well.

[konect]

I have fitted an aftermarket temp gauge a couple of months ago. Since then I have noticed my car go over 100c on several occasions (mainly 30c days).

It sits anywhere from 70-105 (cold to hot days).

Is this normal or is it cooking itself to death ?

[W3asel]

yehh seems normal

ey wat would be a temp that is lets say dangerous for the engine???

mine warning is on about 90 degrees......

????

neva reaches that amount though...

[Cubes]

konect, sounds very much like mine.

For it to hit 105degree's you do have to be in some pain in the arse stressfull peak hour traffic with the a/c on and a hot day.

Hit the AMB button, you will freak at the air temps. 60degree's is not uncommon.