SOHC temp gauge vs DOHC temp gauge - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Ritz S14 · 03-07-2006, 11:23 AM

Ok. First of all, I have a '90 240sx with a full aluminum koyo radiator. My cluster is a SOHC, but I have the DOHC tach installed to keep the uber high milage. The motor is a 95 KA, with a 93 coolant temp sensor. My gauge only climbs up to a 1/8-1/4 high at most. Is this the work of a the radiator? Or mismatched gauge + temp sensor? OR is it because I'm STILL running a clutch fan?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

g6civcx · 03-07-2006, 11:59 AM

The OEM temp gauge is not accurate. Get a good aftermarket one.

The stock one only read, low, med, and hi. If it starts moving up you're already overheating.

Ritz S14 · 03-07-2006, 12:04 PM

Yeah. But it never reads medium, that's the thing. I do plan on getting an aftermarket gauge though.

g6civcx · 03-07-2006, 12:08 PM

I wouldn't sweat it. Either the sending unit is broken or the gauge itself is malfunctioning. Replace the sending unit and see, or swap gauge clusters with a known good and see.

Ritz S14 · 03-07-2006, 12:22 PM

I've swapped the sending unit, still same problem. The gauge worked before the motor was swapped over. BUT, I've also added a new thermostat and heavy duty radiator, water wetter, and retained the stock clutch fan. I even covered a 1/4 of the radiator with cardboard, no change. Driving 60mph for about 20 min, only 1/8 high. I'll see if swapping over to a DOHC cluster would help.

Thanks..

g6civcx · 03-07-2006, 01:52 PM

Okay, take it to a good shop. What they'll do is stick a temp sensor into the radiator and measure coolant temperature. Shouldn't cost much if any money to do it.

Normal operating temperature should be around 200F somewhere.

Ritz S14 · 03-07-2006, 02:05 PM

Once I replace the battery in my DVOM, I'll compare the specs to the FSM. Should have just went that route haha, but it hasn't been my priority.

Thanks for the tips.

03-07-2006, 11:23 AM	#1
Ritz S14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: C A L I F O R N I A Age: 43 Posts: 3,586 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	SOHC temp gauge vs DOHC temp gauge Ok. First of all, I have a '90 240sx with a full aluminum koyo radiator. My cluster is a SOHC, but I have the DOHC tach installed to keep the uber high milage. The motor is a 95 KA, with a 93 coolant temp sensor. My gauge only climbs up to a 1/8-1/4 high at most. Is this the work of a the radiator? Or mismatched gauge + temp sensor? OR is it because I'm STILL running a clutch fan? Any ideas? Thanks.

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03-07-2006, 11:59 AM	#2
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	The OEM temp gauge is not accurate. Get a good aftermarket one. The stock one only read, low, med, and hi. If it starts moving up you're already overheating.

03-07-2006, 12:04 PM	#3
Ritz S14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: C A L I F O R N I A Age: 43 Posts: 3,586 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah. But it never reads medium, that's the thing. I do plan on getting an aftermarket gauge though.

03-07-2006, 12:08 PM	#4
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I wouldn't sweat it. Either the sending unit is broken or the gauge itself is malfunctioning. Replace the sending unit and see, or swap gauge clusters with a known good and see.

03-07-2006, 12:22 PM	#5
Ritz S14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: C A L I F O R N I A Age: 43 Posts: 3,586 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've swapped the sending unit, still same problem. The gauge worked before the motor was swapped over. BUT, I've also added a new thermostat and heavy duty radiator, water wetter, and retained the stock clutch fan. I even covered a 1/4 of the radiator with cardboard, no change. Driving 60mph for about 20 min, only 1/8 high. I'll see if swapping over to a DOHC cluster would help. Thanks..

03-07-2006, 01:52 PM	#6
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Okay, take it to a good shop. What they'll do is stick a temp sensor into the radiator and measure coolant temperature. Shouldn't cost much if any money to do it. Normal operating temperature should be around 200F somewhere.

03-07-2006, 02:05 PM	#7
Ritz S14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: C A L I F O R N I A Age: 43 Posts: 3,586 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Once I replace the battery in my DVOM, I'll compare the specs to the FSM. Should have just went that route haha, but it hasn't been my priority. Thanks for the tips.