Correct Operating Temperature, 2.2 turbo

[CROW]

This may fall under the category of "dumb" question" but I need help and do not know where else to turn. For an amateur, I may be in over my head.
I am working on a low-mileage 1985 Chrysler with a 2. 2 turbocharged engine and am afraid it is running hot. The original factory temperature gauge was acting erratically and I installed a cheapo electrical gauge (probably a mistake). It has a 195 degree thermostat and a 16 lb. radiator cap (both new). I have a 1984 Chrysler manual and it indicates that the thermostat should start to open at 195 degrees and be fully open at 219 degrees, the fan should come on at 200 degrees. According to the cheapo gauge, the temperature will go to about 230 degrees or a little more before the fan comes on and cools the engine down. It will then not cool all the way down to 200 before the fan goes off (have replaced the switch that turns the fan on). Can anyone tell me what the "normal operating temperature" of this engine should be?
Thanks in advance for any help.

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Tom

 

[rich m]

been years, but seems like the blown 4bangers (had both a '85 2. 2 and a '89 2. 5) run 190-ish... loved 'em both! memory of optimal temp may be fuzzy but 230 is absolutely non-permissable! (a blown hose on the 2. 5 gave me that a couple of times, but a slow, careful cooldown prevented headwarp)(you can verify the accuracy by placing the sensor in some boiling H2O and see if you get a 212)


Also, something that dawns on me: check your electrical system's operating voltage. the electronics seemed to be very sensitive to low-volts and would, indeed read erratic, even when all else was actually operating correctly. the fix: for mine it was simply a new battery, and then everything settled down.....

 

[The patriot]

I'm with Rich on this. Keep it under 200.
My wife had a 2. 2 turbo. It was a neat little sleeper. I did the head gasket at 100K miles, and I could still see the cross hatch in the cylinders!!
We'd have kept it much longer, but after we had the trans rebuilt, they could never get it to stop leaking. #ad

Eric

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Michelin 275 75 16 lr-E. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 63,000 Mi as of 1/27/01.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.