When you first turn the ignition on and the car is stone cold (been stood overnight for example) where should the needle sit?
I fitted some white dial clocks that I bought second hand and it sits way out of the 'cold' area like in this first pic..



I thought it used to go up to at least the bottom of the 'cold' when I first turned the ignition on/started the car?
Like in this pic...



It only really gets to just below the 'M' of 'NORM' when being driven normally even in this hot weather, and obviously I want it to read accurately and so need to know if I should reposition the needle!

What do all yours go to when you first start the car?

Cheers!
Karlos.

 

pretty sure myns the same as the top pic when turned on until a couple of mins warming up and its deffo like the top pic when turned off .

 

Mine starts in the bottomr of the cold bit.

 

Mine's like the top pic. Off the scale when ignition is off.

 

hi
mine sits the same as top pick and takes 10 mins at idle to look like second pic even hot days
sunday it was well hot where i was stuck in a traffic jam and reading went upto the O/R of norm
when you have been here and there in the car does it smell/sound any hotter and i aint taking the piss with smell/sound
mark2

 

if u want accurate buy an aftermarket temp gauge and sender and fit that,i wouldnt trust the std clocks

 

In my Fiestas and Escort they have all looked like the top pic when theignition is off and they rise 5mm or so to just below the box when first turned on and cold. I know the escort would still read right up to the top of the red box also as It made it up there a few tims

 

Mine does that too.

 

Cheers for all your input chaps!

Mark2 yeah it's definately getting hot, and I do know what you mean by smell mate! lol

I think it makes sense that it rises to at least the very bottom of the 'cold' to start with, I think i'll move the needle so this is the case. At least then if anything it's overeading a bit and not under reading as perhaps it is now, always better to be on the safe side with these motors!

 

[QUOTE=Karlos G;4174271]Cheers for all your input chaps!

Mark2 yeah it's definately getting hot, and I do know what you mean by smell mate! lol

i am glad you clocked what i said

i hope you get it sorted asap as the tune up aint to far off now
mark2

 

Yes mate! lol
It isnt a problem really just nice to know how hot i'm running.

 

hi
have you thought of looking through the web sites like ebay at 90 spec clocks forsale you never know you might get a look at how the standard clocks look and there position then try moving needle
here are 2 90 spec clocks on ebay with good pics of dials if that helps
item num 230344935522
and 120423553195
i also looked at 88 spec standard clocks and they seem to sit nearer the box than 90 spec
mark2

 

Thats a good idea (and i'll take a look) but we dont know if the cars have been running at all!
Cheers!

EDIT: need to see pics of when the igntion is first turned on, they all sit right at the bottom with it ignition off as far as I know.

 

well when my car is switched off the temp guage drops way down as when its totaly cold if i pop ignition on after 10 mins creeps over the bottom box
just been in my loft as got 3 sets of clocks up there and they all sit the same as my clocks in the car but they are 2 series2 and 1 series 1 clocks no 90 spec though
if realy concerned try a after market temp guage or new temp sender you dont have to ruin your dash fitting it just plumb it in for referance and leave under bonnet untill you are sure temp is ok and then be cheecky and return guage and get money back under 14 day returns which is legal binding or keep it
mark2

 

LOL Very cheeky!

 

Karlos, i have been thinking this too. Mine does exactly same thing and when i bought the car i think there was something wrong. Fans starts when needle is about 3/4 in scale and pretty near red area. Have been thinking cosworth fan switch.

 

I think 3/4 is correct, my fan starts just out of the cold!! Which is another reason I think the gauge is wrong.

 

Ok, update!
The needle has been gradually getting lower and lower and I noticed there was what looked like water coming out of where the needle fits/rotates (in the middle) so took my clocks out today to have a look at this and there was some clear sticky goo that looks like it's come out from behind the needle and ran down the face of the gauge causing the needle to get stuck in it and only raise up a little!!??
I have no idea what it is or where it has come from but I have fitted the temp gauge from my old clocks and we'll see how I get on.
Really strange!?!