94 Ford Taurus 3.8L GL Sedan and Temp Gauge Question

I have a 1994 Ford Taurus GL Sedan 3.8L. What is the normal operating temperature for this car? I live in the mountains and the temperature gauge has gone up to M while driving in the city. On the highway it will drop either between N-O or O-R and somtimes even below the N. Is there anything wrong? Or is this ok?

C.......N O R M A L.......H x------x (in town driving) x-------x (highway driving)

Reply to
CJ
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Normal Range = N O R M A L, at least according to Ford. If your coolant level doesn't start dropping fast or the needle getting to the HOT, not much to worry about; coolant 50/50 mix, belt tight, no water pump weep or noise, thermostat OK, and condenser in front of radiator clean, it should be OK. If still concerned, flush cooling system, change thermostat, and have the fan draw (amps) checked. A car will often run hotter in town because the electric cooling fan only pulls air equal to maybe 30 mph forward speed. At 65 mph, there is a massive amount of cooling air being forced thru the radiator.

Reply to
Sharon K.Cooke

Correct. Normal means normal. The car appears to be working normally.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

On my 96' 3.8 mustang, N through R appears to be normal depending on outside temp. My fan switch must be set very well as I don't see much difference when driving in slow traffic. Once temp needle picks a operating temp for current outside temp, it stays there pretty much until outside temp changes drastically.

IF I accelerate to get on the interstate ( after warming up on 35 mph streets) , the temp gauge moving quickly two letters higher is an indication I have some air trapped in the block. This is a problem with the 3.8 on mustangs,, don't know about other cars or other years.

16ounces of air, or less, will cause temp gauge to jump up to R or M RAPIDLY under heavy acceleration but will stay at N or O during 35

- 45 city driving if you're easy on the gas pedal..

There is a labeled coolant bleed bolt on the top of my intake, right behind the thermostat housing.

As rapidly as I've seen the gauge move, the difference between N and L must not be more than 20F.

Reply to
Chuck

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