My 1989 Volvo 240's temperature gauge was running cold. I replaced the thermostat and for a few days it was running in the middle of the gauge. Even a little above at times. About 10. Today, I noticed the top radiator hose wasn't secured good enough and was leaking radiator fluid. Once I fixed this, now the gauge is about 8 o'clock. It will not get any warmer. Is this normal operating temperature? Everything I've read online says it should be halfway. About 9 o'clock. Any suggestions?

 

Hmm, middle of the gauge should be 12 o'clock... 8 o'clock, no idea how you get that...
Anyway, are you getting good cabin heat?
You may want to get a good infrared gauge to see what you real temp is.

 

Sorry. I'm just referring to an actual clock. The 9 o'clock being the halfway point on the gauge. I'm going to try and get a infrared gauge and see what it reads. I'm starting to think that when I removed the top radiator tube to inspect it, air may have got into the system. Yesterday I noticed I hadn't clamped the hose good enough after replacing the thermostat. It was leaking fluid. It wasn't until after I removed this, examined the hose, and then put it back on I had this problem. I watched a video on flushing the cooling system before doing this. It did recommend driving it around with the heater going. I'm quite inexperienced with auto mechanic.

 

This is why I am asking if you have good cabin heat. If you do then you don't have an air bubble.

 

I have very few cars that run in the middle this time of the year. I have 5 on the road...today.

Loose hose will cause it to lose coolant and run low.

Fill the reservoir. Park your car, and let it idle till the cooling fans come on. Drive it and go from there. Repeat if necessary, topping off as you go.