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EDIT::::read first paragraph then jump to my last post - thanks!

While installing gauge temp sensor, I did not tighten it until it hit the block. Like the old one, there are some threads showing -- does the depth in the block have anything to do with the readings?

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Installed gauge temp sensor today (one from Autozone) -- lost very little coolant when doing this, but planeed on making sure it was at the proper levels after a quick test drive. At startup the cars temp was just above 160, then it climbed to little over 210 in under a block so I turned back. It rose less quickly then, and I don not know if it was going to overheat in the red.

My fans are set to turn on at 205 from Ion (madz28.com). BUT, they never came on... I know this because I have a fan switch, and an LED comes on when low fan is on.... So, I was past 210 according to gauge, and fans were supposed to be on at 205.

Couple ?'s:

Is this autozone gauge inaccurate? OR, is it more accurate then the old? What should my operating temp be at? What are the next steps I should take? Thanks

 

ALSO - if I turn the low/hi fans on manually, the temp gauge does not drop as it should or even stabilize - gradually still rises. Should I just swap in my 160 stat (180 currently) and see what happens?

 

did you bleed the air out of the system? I think you should run around 180 deg.

 

Yea air is bled - either way, the coolant temp continued to rise after I turned both fans on high. AND, my fans were supposd to kick on at 205, but did not.....they did before the new gauge temp sensor. Because of this, I feel that maybe the sensor is reading wrong.

Does if matter how far into the block it is? From the factory, there are a few threads showing, as there is on mine after the install because I didn't wan't to break another.

 

Sorry guys, but I really can't figure this one out. Here's an update:

160* stat is back in, and filled the resevoir w/ coolant I lost (maybe a cup or two). Started the car, no leaks - all is good. Gauge appears accurate. Eventually the gauge nears 210, but the fans were supposed to be on at 205. No fans (my manual fan light didn't turn on). So, this is all 5 mins of cold start idle, I turn on fans myself - hi and low. Temperature gauge continues to rise! So...I'm thinking that the gauge temp sensor is inaccurate? I can't think of why else the fans wouldn't come on and when I turn them on it doesn't cool the engine.

What should I do? Since my fans aren't coming on, is there still any reason to be worried? BEFORE my engine overheats, would my fans come on no matter what?

 

You can test the sensor by measuring the resistance. There is a table of temperature vs. resistance in my online scanner writeup.

http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/ScanMast.htm

Your fans are controlled off the sensor in the water pump, so obviously there is no connection at all to the fact you changed the head sensor.

Are you sure you haven't blown a fuse on the fans? Turn on the A/C.... the fans should come on.

How deep its screwed into the head (not the block) shouldn't matter.

 

Thanks Fred. I'm going to assume that the sensor is off. It is made by WELLS, I don't know anything about their reputation but I bought it from Autozone...so that's saying something. I'm gonna try to pick up another one tomorrow somewhere. With A/C on, the fans do come on, and go off soon after turning off the A/C as usual....despit the fact that my gauge is at the dash past 210 (so 230 and higher) and my fans were supposed to be on at 205. It seems pretty clear to me...still feel uneasy about it though.

SO - as long as my fans aren't on, my engine temp is not dangerously high, correct? Since my fans operate normally, should I not be concerned unless the fans turn on? Is there anyway it can overheat w/o the fans turning on if they are functioning correctly? Thanks!

 

After putting in a new AC Delco gauge temp sensor f rom the dealer, temperatures are normal, and I am running at just under 180*. Thanks for the responses. FYI, the sensor before that was reading very high was from Autozone, sensor brand: WELLS.