All my coolant questions in one thread
 

OK once and forever answer these questions for me.

1. What is normal operating temp for a naturally aspirated 1.6l Miata?
2. What is normal operating temp for a turbo charged 1.6l?
3. What is too hot? is 207 degrees too hot? is 210 too hot?
4. If my fans work when the front coolant temp sensor is unplugged there is no need for the sensor?
5. If 207-210 is too hot should i try getting a colder thermostat? i have a 180 now but for some reason when i first start the car in the morning it takes almost 215 to get the thermostat to open but later it says open.


My set up: Stock radiator, Coolant fed turbo, 50/50 coolant mix, Purple Ice watter wetter. The temp outside today is 50 degrees, 180 degree tstat.

Where do i get 160 degree tstat?

Another question. I put in a upper rad hose coolant temp sensor for an aftermarket gauge. Its all over the place and never shows the right temp. I am pretty sure its because i did not ground it right. Where can i get a good ground around the upper rad hose. I really dont want to have a 3 feet long wire going somewhere.

Thank you.

ok ur normal temp will be diff from mine because of the weather.

my normal is 205 with no water wetter and hard driving on the street.

phil's normal is like 170.

i have a small koyo rad.

phil has a massive godspeed radiator.

i have a 180* tstat

phil has a 160*

u dont need the sensor, mine is unpluged and has been for many months.

also my turbo is coolant fed as well so i know that heats up the coolant.
and water wetter does work.!

i should have posted my set up.
I will do it in the OP.

did u watch this vid yet?
i think it will explain the tstat opening



edit:

and look read this thread.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t21432/

lol, great video. So whats the best tstat to get? OEM mazda?

Installing a new 160 degree thermostat

grounded mine at the radiator support, but u should be able to use the head to ground it.

Thanks for the "how to". I have done tstat replacement before. I went to NAPA yesterday and said they dont have 160 degree tstats.

order by the partnumber, or buy it at napa online.

so the part number is 42?

yep the only two they have at NAPA online is 180 and 195 NAPAONLINE®

u are the LAME

NAPA Online PartsPRO SE

http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S...M42_0216298518

cool. thanks. I guess i was looking in a wrong place.

so get a new radiator.

i am pretty sure my rad is good. its newer. the car was in a front end accident. nothing major tho. The rad was replaced.

get a thicker one, like the godspeed one.

Drove around more and figured that the 180 Tstat I got fully opens at around 210 that's when the temp starts to drop off quick and my aftermarket coolant gauge in the upper rad house comes alive. After that the temp never goes over 200 degrees no matter how hard I beat on the car. Crusing on a hwy is usualy 194-197 degrees. This sounds about normal, right?