hi Guys,

got 2004 rx8 with 46,00km. got a problem, when i start the car in the mornings the engine runs for a while and the temp gauge goes to normal but the engine is not physically very hot but after a drive it gets really hot still the temp gauge is normal. the temp gauge takes about 4 mins to reach the normal position in the morning. lives in sri lanka and its not cold in the mornings.. is this normal or what?? thanks

 

If you're curious about the vital temperatures of your engine, you need to measure coolant and oil temperature at the block or as close to it as practical. This will require more than reaching in and groping. If your car has an OBD-II port, readers will give you the coolant temperature. Sadly the 8 does not have an oil temperature sender, so that is something you would need to install yourself.

 

Nothing too much to worry about unless the car start to overheat. You might wanna check the thermostat if you are still paranoid.

 

Something that has not been stated is that the coolant temp gauge has only a couple positions to it. Off, I have power, yea the coolant isn't an ice cube and OH **** you dun blowed up. As stated above...if you really care...get an OBDII scanner that supports the CAN bus and look at real numbers.

 

Do you have the right amount of coolant? The gauge won't work right if the coolant level is off.

 

^ Fixed

 

the temperature is measured at the engine block not the radiator.
if its on close loop even when the engine is at normal operation temp, the radiator might be slightly warm.

 

will chk thermostat and post results. thanks guys

 

is it running hot after 5 miles or is it taking 10 miles to warm up?
if none of these two situations, youre thermostat is fine. its not rocket science.

 

none of these... got it!!

 

the "stock so called temp. gauge" stops moving at around hmm I think 150f/65 celsius

even when it reads "normal". its still a "while" to get to the optimal operation range, which is 170-190f/76-88 Celsius.

 

that's hilarious