Thread: Running too cool -crap gauges?

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  1. #1 Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GTX Level Member Elite6's Avatar
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    When I purchased the car a week agao I noticed that it would pretty much stay pegged at the midpopint between 40C and 100C. Assuming linear measurement that would be 70C or 158F with a 195F Tstat in. I figured it was stuck open so replaced it with a 180F Tstat but now the car runs even cooler. Never makes it to the 70C now.

    Only thing I can think of is a crappy sensor, anyone experience sensor failure that reads on the cool side? Also, no CEL present for the sensor either.
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  2. #2 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
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    I've wondered that too. I too seem to be running "cool". My gauge never gets over the middle mark between 160 and 210... I have no idea what thermostat I have either.
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  3. #3 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GrandPrix Junkie CTKGP09's Avatar
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    how many miles on the car?

    my car was running too cool as well and when i replaced the LIM gasket and put a new UIM and gasket in that fixed everything
    '04 Chevy Silverado LT 4x4 - intake, headers, full exhaust, zo6 cam, 799 heads, tune, leveled, 33's
    '00 Grand Prix GTP DAYTONA 500 - L36 block, S1X, intercooled, GenV, N*, headers, full exhaust, coilovers, 5 speed swap, stage 3+ clutch
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  4. #4 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GTX Level Member Elite6's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CTKGP09 View Post
    how many miles on the car?

    my car was running too cool as well and when i replaced the LIM gasket and put a new UIM and gasket in that fixed everything
    133K miles - any idea how manifold gaskets affected coolant temp?
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  5. #5 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GrandPrix Junkie CTKGP09's Avatar
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    coolant leaks into oil and the engine cant warm up to its potential
    '04 Chevy Silverado LT 4x4 - intake, headers, full exhaust, zo6 cam, 799 heads, tune, leveled, 33's
    '00 Grand Prix GTP DAYTONA 500 - L36 block, S1X, intercooled, GenV, N*, headers, full exhaust, coilovers, 5 speed swap, stage 3+ clutch
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  6. #6 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GTX Level Member Elite6's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CTKGP09 View Post
    coolant leaks into oil and the engine cant warm up to its potential
    Help me understand because I dont know much about these motors yet, how does coolant leak into the oil? I would have thought the coolant would be flowing in the jackets next to the cylinders and could make it to the CC if the headgasket was blown.

    If coolant is in fact getting into the oil circulation system, how is that preventing the coolant itself from getting up to operating temp?
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  7. #7 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GrandPrix Junkie CTKGP09's Avatar
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    when the LIM gasket leaks, it is leaking coolant into oil, this is very dangerous and can ruin your motor. in my case my car wouldnt get up to proper operating temp and i knew the LIM was leaking when the intake mani's were pulled off and all you could see was milky oil, i got lucky that time. it was just the way you describe it sounds like what my car was doing, it may not be your problem but it can be a big problem
    '04 Chevy Silverado LT 4x4 - intake, headers, full exhaust, zo6 cam, 799 heads, tune, leveled, 33's
    '00 Grand Prix GTP DAYTONA 500 - L36 block, S1X, intercooled, GenV, N*, headers, full exhaust, coilovers, 5 speed swap, stage 3+ clutch
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  8. #8 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
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    try changing the temp sender?

    and LIM gaskets means slowly losing coolant without any external leaks.
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  9. #9 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GTX Level Member Elite6's Avatar
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    It still reads a temp though, the other thing I was thinking is that the guage is not spaced evenly. So although the need sits say 50% of the way between 40 and 100 it might not be 70... Can someone snap a pic at operating temp for reference?
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  10. #10 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
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    get a scan tool and see what the computer sees.

    That MIGHT get you closer to your answer but apparently the sender sends two separate signals.

    One for the PCM and one for the gauge.
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  11. #11 Re: Running too cool -crap gauges? 
    GTP Level Member SnowDrift's Avatar
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    I'd not run a 180 t-stat if I lived in Canada, like you. Try an OEM t-stat. It's for 195 deg. and is superior to aftermarket. Besides that, it's only about a $7 stat from the dealer.
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