Temp

[Bald0]

When stock guages read the temperature of the engine...temperature of what exactly? water, ambient, exhaust?

[nismoron]

water... just as it leaves the engine on its way to the radiator.

[Pentamax]

The temperature guage shows the water temperature, with the sensor located quiet often near the thermostat, or in the head. If you ever burst a radiator hose, and loose all the water quickly, like in a minute or so, the guage won't register the engine overheating, as there won't be any water to transfer heat to the temp sender. Heat transferred through the head/block doesn't get to the sender quick enough to warn of overheating in this case.

EFI cars also have a second water temp sensor, which is used by the ECU to adjust mixture enrichment/cold start.

Some cars have an exhaust temp switch, usually to do with the catalytic converter..but i don't really know the purpose of those...

[pwforprez]

is it better to just take out the thermostat making waterflow at all times or should i replace the broken stat?

advice dont put liquid coper in radiator unless you want to have to make this decision.

[nismoron]

If you remove the thermostat, the water will cycle all the time... causing it to take longer for the engine to get to the correct operating temp. The thermostat closes to keep water in the block/head until it is at operating temp (usually around 180deg) then it opens and closes as the water temp rises and falls. Also if you live in the north you will want to have a thermostat due to the fact that the heater will not work for a while when you start the car. It will take much longer to heat all of your water, instead of only whats in the block/head. KEEP IT!

[pwforprez]

thanks i was told that if i left it out thn the temp would stay cooler and i wouldnt cause too much of a problem. what could happen if it is left out.