normal operating temperature

[Kaotik25]

hi guy,

i have stock KA24E, what is the normal operating temperature for the engine. The aftermarket gauge reads 210F but my stock gauge is reading overheat. I do feel a lost of power around 190-210F. Can someone confirm that 210 is normal operating temp. Tried searching but was not helpful. Thanks in advance.

[S14DB]

190-200*F is normal operating range. Low fan comes on at 201*. 210* the AC fan should be running high speed all the time.

[Kaotik25]

Thanks, very much appreciated. So running at 210 it should be ok for me to ignore the stock gauge (which is telling me it's HOT) and read the aftermarket gauge?

[LB.Motoring]

stock guages = a random guess

[S14DB]

It is Hot... You do have issues. The thermostat starts opening at 170*F

[steve shadows]

It is Hot... You do have issues. The thermostat starts opening at 170*F


I thought OEM KA thermo is hotter, but I might be wrong

SR stock is 76 deg C which is like 168 F.

iono just talking outloud

[Flybert]

Water boils at 212. 210 is bad. Something's wrong.

[S14DB]

I thought OEM KA thermo is hotter, but I might be wrong

SR stock is 76 deg C which is like 168 F.

iono just talking outloud
I wasn't sure so I got the FSM off the shelf to check before I posted. I had heard that they are the exact same part from Nissan from people as KA guys use the SR performance Themos with lower temps(Nismo, Billion, ect.).
Water boils at 212. 210 is bad. Something's wrong.
At atmospheric pressure. You have to remember you have the radiator cap boosting the pressure in the system to 11-14psi. Effectively boosting the boiling point. Putting a 300zx 16psi cap will raise the boiling point even more. Also, why when you are over heating you don't want to relieve the pressure. Water will flash boil in the head. Happened to a member this week an hour after he sold the car to some idiot.

[projectRDM]

OE fan runs low at 203, high at 212. Normal range is 180-190. Thermo opens at 170.

Check for blockage and air pockets.

[Kaotik25]

thanks for the info. I do believe there is a problem with my cooling system. Im now working on finding the culprit. From visual check, it's boiling in the reservior tank at ~210, not good. Ran compression check, headgasket is good. Therefore, it's either a leak, air pocket, cap is not holding air, or the radiator itself. Any ideas??

[S14DB]

Thermostat and a flush is what I would do first.

[DJ_Sunrise]

what s14db said. even after hard runs in crazy heat i havent really seen stock KA's go over 90C...

[onemotion]

you should download the fsm for that manual and follow the procedures it tells you to check for overheating problems. it will probably tell you to do a pressure check first make sure everything is working properly before you start replacing parts for no reason. like the saying goes if it aint broke dont fix it.

[Kaotik25]

Thanks. I have the FSM with me right now and looking through it. The Thermostat is new i replaced it about 3 months ago. I'll read up and probably do a long and detail flush to get rid of the air pockets this weekend.

[Canaduh]

Don't rule out the thermostat. Still could be defective.

[chmercer]

has anyone recorded water temps with a drilled stock thermo in a ka

trying to decide how many holes to put

[KA-T_240]

I have mine set to run about 180-185 and in traffic I haven't scene it my gauge go above 200. The stock Temp guage is dumb. I don't even look at it. I have a autometer guage in the upper radiator hose.