steviet

Hi, Ive noticed that the temperature gauge on my ES never gets above 1/4 from the bottom in normal use. Is this normal? I am in Saudi Arabia, driving in 45 plus degree heat.
I am sure the gauge itself works because it went right up to the red when my coolant cap decided to fail and blow all the coolant out of the expansion tank, fixed with a new cap.

I have heard that it is fairly common practice out here for less scrupulous mechanics to simply remove the thermostats from cars to prevent any chance of overheating the engine in the event of a 'stat failing. However I think the cool running may be bad for the cat(s) and fuel economy.

So firstly, is 1/4 up the gauge normal?
Secondly, where does the gauge get its reading from?
And thirdly and slightly less related to the cooling system- If the cat was getting damaged/blocked from rich running, would it be feasible to remove the cats, cut them open and remove the internals before welding them up and refitting? would this throw a code?

Sorry for the essay,
Steve

mmatheny

I'd bet the thermostat is gone (missing). There are thermostats that fail OPEN -that's what you want. I hear the OEM are the best, but I don't know if they fail open or not.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

About the cat, yes you would still get a code. The code is set by the computer reading the oxygen sensors. So if the exhaust gas is not being filtered, it will throw off a warning code.

Running with a cold engine will keep the ECU from relying on the O2 reading, which in term will keep burning more fuel. So yes you are correct, get the thermostat looked at.

There are coolant sensors in multiple spots. One at the bottom of the radiator and I believe one or two in the block. I do not know which is connected to the gauge.