Automobiles need to run within a certain temperature range, otherwise, you start getting all sorts of problems. Engine coolants play a vital role in maintaining the temperature range that allows for efficient operation. The auto meter water temperature gauge is important because it shows the heat status of the coolant. It will show you if the engine is overheating or operating at the right temperature. Sometimes your gauge can also indicate that your engine temperature is too low. In this post, we share the basics of how they work, temperature readings, and how to detect faulty auto gauges.
How do gauges work?
Auto water gauges use sensors to find out how hot the coolant in the engine is. Coolant flows through the radiator and back to the engine through pumps that are built into engines. This circulation allows the coolant’s temperature to reduce as it passes through the radiator. This is particularly so if the car is in motion.
Types of gauges
I forgot to mention that there are two types of auto meters for water gauges (mechanical and electric). When the temperature changes, the fluid (usually gas) in a mechanical gauge expands or shrinks. This means that they don’t require electricity to operate and are quite easy to install. This is one reason why race cars prefer mechanical gauges; they operate without electric power. Their drawback is that folks will need to keep an eye on engine hot sources while fitting them, as external heat can affect the readings.
Electric water gauges, on the other hand, are the preferred option. They are also easy to install. The wire routing is less fragile. The setup requires only 3 wires; one sender, one ground, and one power source. The problem with these gauges is that they are a bit pricey and only work well within a narrow range of temperatures.
What is the normal temperature gauge reading?
This is a very common question. Some cars have a large digital display that shows the temperature level. Others just show when the temperature is either hot or cold. Most drivers are comfortable when the pointer is in the middle of the gauge display. Sometimes the pointer can be slightly higher or lower, but this should not worry you. Most car experts agree that a range of 195-220 degrees is ideal for the efficient operation of a car.
Why the temperature gauge reads high
When the temperature gauge is high, it means that your engine is overheating. This can also be caused by evaporation or a small leak that leads to the loss of coolant through the radiator. The amount of coolant recommended by manufacturers should be maintained at all times. The other important cause is the failure of the thermostat. The thermostat plays a big role in coordinating the functions of the cooling system, and its failure can lead to damage to other critical parts of the engine. The malfunction of a thermostat should be corrected without delay. The car will also overheat if the water pump fails or due to the water pump gasket failure.
What you should do when the temperature gauge reads high
You should never drive a car if the temperature reads high. This means the engine is overheating. Sometimes, putting off the air conditioner can reduce overheating. Another option is to stop driving and allow the engine to cool down. If you suspect that the coolant has evaporated or it is being lost for some reason, you can try to replenish the coolant through the radiator. Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Allow it to cool first.
Either way, you will need to take the car to the garage, where the root cause of the problem will be determined.
Why the temperature gauge reads cold
When you start a car that has not been in use for a period of time, the gauge will read cold initially. The reading is expected to change as the engine runs and starts heating. If this does not happen, then perhaps the thermostat is faulty. The thermostat is supposed to close as the engine heats. If this does not happen and the thermostat is stuck open, the engine will be over-cooled. At this point, your best option is to have the car diagnosed by a qualified mechanic. They will identify the root cause and provide appropriate repairs. This will save you money and agony.
How to know if the water temperature gauge is faulty?
There are several symptoms that you can observe to know that the gauge is not reading correctly. They include a check engine light. Check engine trigger may be caused when the coolant temperature sensor is failing or has failed.
Delay to kick-start the engine is another symptom of a faulty gauge. Cooling fans not working is also a sign. Fans are supposed to automatically start or stop as triggered by the thermostat.
Look for high fuel consumption also. When the fuel consumption is higher than expected. If the gauge is reporting cool temperature when the actual temperature in the engine is high, this means more fuel will be used than is necessary.
Another trigger to watch for is irregular reading. Of course, you know your car. When you notice that the gauge reading is irregular based on experience. An example is when the gauge continues to show low when you have been driving the car for a while.
Black smoke: We all know something is wrong when we see black smoke coming out of the exhaust. The combustion chamber usually has excess fuel and cannot burn it efficiently.
We have discussed the auto meter water temperature gauges. You now know that they can be either mechanical or electric. They both have their upsides and downsides. It is important to understand how your auto engine works and the role of these gauges. When the gauge points deeper north or south, this does not translate to danger, but rather an awareness that something could be wrong. That is why you should also understand how to detect faulty gauges. My advice is always to bring in an expert on time. Call on your mechanic when you have tried basics with little success.
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