Date:         Tue, 1 Jun 2021 10:54:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Some thoughts Mansi Speed products. Moving onto to coolant
              temperature possible problems or gauge readings.
In-Reply-To:  <CY4PR0801MB373152E7E23CC5C51C7484B7A03E9@CY4PR0801MB3731.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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I had a 1985 GTI with the faking oil temp sensor.  I took it out of the
engine and heated it in a pan of oil with a calibrated thermometer while
still connected to the car's wiring.  I registered a consistent 35 degrees
F lower on the car than the actual temp.  At least it was easy to do the
math in my head to tell the real temp!  I believe the highest actual temp I
ever saw was about 310 when I took the car on a track day.  Most driving
yielded very reasonable oil temps even with the 35 degrees added.

Interesting about the coolant temp readouts you get with the aftermarket FI
system Dennis.  It has a separate coolant temp sensor?  Where is it
located?  I was always impressed with how fast the Vanagon warmed the
coolant up.  Probably the best of any car I've owned.

Edward

On Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 10:16 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Gauge readings can vary a bit for a number of reasons, wiring, gauge
> voltage regulator, gauge itself, and of course the sensor tolerances. Over
> the years VW itself changed calibrations to 'ease' customer concerns over
> the normal gauge readings. Worse example was the technical service bulletin
> (TSB)  to change the oil temp sensor on some GTI and Sciroccos. It is
> important to consider the tolerance of the thermostat and that there is a
> considerable range from just opening to fully open. The gauge itself is
> damped, very slow to respond. Its main function is to alert when something
> is unusual or has failed.
>