So my OBD reader have arrived and I'm doing all sorts of check ups on the car....

I've read the specifications in the user manual, that the thermostats in the non-turbo version opens at 90 degrees Celsius (turbo version at 87C)..



while doing a test drive, I've noticed the Engine Coolant Temperature going as high as 103 degrees, but usually staying around 91 degrees, and the temperature gauge on the dash doesn't move higher than middle....

so is 103 degrees normal? Or do I have a sluggish thermostat? Or a faulty coolant sensor? The car does warm up very promptly to operating temperature though, although I'm worried that it doesn't opens as quick as it should, although the gauge never climbs above center...



Just want to make sure before I start driving long distances as you know the cooling system is probably the most important thing on the car... thanks in advance for any comments...

 

I don't currently have an OBD reader (borrow when necessary) but think i have heard others reporting similar behaviour; temp gauge in cluster is de-sensitized in the operating range so not to alarm drivers (by constantly changing).

According to this link, normal range is around 200F (93C) so you may be running a tad hot (103C = 217F) but if it's for short periods of time (pulling a hill, full throttle application, etc.) then it likely normal.

If you think the thermostat is sluggish, you could replace it; they're cheap enough and easy to DIY. If it's been more than 3 yrs you should change out the coolant too; 50/50 mix.

 

so does the thermostat indeed gets sluggish overtime?

the high temperature I assume is for really short period as I was test driving it, as I didn't actually see it at that temperature, it was only being logged by the OBD reader...

can the thermostat be removed without draining the coolant? I think they're still in pretty good nick, I'm having trouble finding the service/repair manual on the internet, all the previous cars I've own I could easily find the manual on the internet...

 

I got a manual from eBay. The t-stat can be changed without draining or loosing much of the coolant.

I run a ScanGauge II a lot and the temp is something I display real time. My temp ranges between 183 and 212 without any cluster gauge movement. When driving it is usually betwen 183 and 196, only peaks when sitting in a drive through or stuck in traffice somewhere for a few minutes and only briefly.

I would not worry about it.

 

yeah I've seen those ebay dvd manuals, but i refuse to pay profit to those who copy and counterfeit software, it's different if i just download it for my own use though... I'll probably just buy one from Amazon pretty soon anyway coz looks like i can't find it anywhere else... thanks for ya help anyway!

 

I'm not big on purchasing stolen good myself. However, if I can't find what I need what choice do I have? I really did not know the software was copied

 

haha.. don't get the wrong idea, I didn't mean it that way, sometimes if you need it quick, then you don't really have much choice... I'd think all similar service manuals on ebay would be copied software, there aren't anything on soft copy unless it's straight from Volvo as in VADIS and VIDA, not sure what's Volvo's licensing structure with their software, but I think legally you'd need to purchase their whole system which is ridiculously expensive, but I'm not sure if owners are allowed to sell their second hand units, so regarding manuals I think the most affordable ones are those Haynes manuals....

regarding ODBII readings on this car, I've just started another thread, there seems to be so much inconsistencies with the readings, but I can't work out why...