Temp Gauge

[submariner409]

Use an el cheapo coolant tester from AutoZone - $4.95 - works like a battery hydrometer.

"Water wetters" have been discussed at great length both in here and in Northstar Performance. They may transfer heat to coolant a bit quicker, but they cannot override the thermostat, which is designed to control coolant flow in order to allow the engine to run at its design temperatures. The ONLY way to get an engine/cooling system to run cooler is to change the thermostat, and with all the Northstar engine controls which depend on coolant temperature, that's not a good idea. Water wetters may have a limited application for track and autocross engine applications, but for a daily driver: completely unnecessary. Our thermostats are set to begin opening at 188 and be fully open at 206. The cooling system is extremely efficient, so most of the time the thermostat is open about 75% or so.

The gauge was originally done by JimD using cardboard over the radiator and an IR thermometer. I updated it with a ScanGauge (www.scangauge.com) and an IR thermometer. The engine is designed to run in that 12:00 area. Normal. Also normal to see 225 in traffic with the A/C OFF (fans don't run all the time with A/C OFF.)

[osu411yamaha]

While on the subject of thermostats....Has anyone ever had one go bad in their northstar? I never really see any threads concerning it, but have been considering changing mine just in case....

[HowardW]

<<< Water wetters" have been discussed at great length both in here and in Northstar Performance. They may transfer heat to coolant a bit quicker, but they cannot override the thermostat, which is designed to control coolant flow in order to allow the engine to run at its design temperatures. The ONLY way to get an engine/cooling system to run cooler is to change the thermostat, and with all the Northstar engine controls which depend on coolant temperature, that's not a good idea. Water wetters may have a limited application for track and autocross engine applications, but for a daily driver: completely unnecessary. Our thermostats are set to begin opening at 188 and be fully open at 206. The cooling system is extremely efficient, so most of the time the thermostat is open about 75% or so. >>>



I wasn't suggesting that Water Wetter could or would dramatically alter the operating temp, or that the thermostat was not a primary part in determining the engines overall operating temp.......I was however saying that it did make a noticable difference in my Corvette during the hot summer months and it's only a few bucks and takes about a minute to install.

[Ranger]

Thermostat failure seem to be very rare.

I've always thought that running a higher percentage of water will make the engine run a bit cooler, but you sacrifice the freezing point of the mixture.

Varying coolant/water percentages should not affect running temperatures. As Sub said, that's governed by the stat.

[submariner409]

In about 4 years I have seen just 2 posts in which the thermostat was proven to have failed.

Most other temperature problems have been water pumps, water pump belts, plastic radiator end caps, and heater cores. Occasionally a rusted heater crossover pipe at the rear side of some Northstars. Occasionally a leaking water pump housing cover/thermostat housing seal. Occasionally a crack at either the surge tank purge line nipple or the surge tank coolant line nipple at the bottom.

[chazglenn3]

My surge tank had a hairline crack on the bottom near the coolant level sensor.