Originally Posted by TopspeedLowet
First off I would verify the true engine temp with an infared type gauge on the water neck and check the rear of the intake as well. If you have not verified the condition with one other temp source or by touching the hoses to affirm you have a HOT condition. Then I would start there, then trouble shoot the problem. All the advice you have been given is with the assumption that you have an over heating condition and have verified the temp gauge is correct.
Bruce
I haven't done the infrared (I don't have one - but need to invest in one), but have definitely done the touch test. On the top hoses, it's insanely hot after driving ~200+ degrees.
For some reason the Passenger side hose is always hotter than the drivers side hose - even though they are both on the same port - am thinking it may have something to do with the water pump dir of rotation being more efficient on one side than the other (?) Since the eng bay is wide open (no inner fenders etc) - there's nothing holding the heat in, but you can definitely tell when it's getting 'too hot'. You can feel the difference in heat coming over the windshield and thru the firewall in places. At 180 - it feels like a normal 'hot engine'... at 200+ [basically after the first stop light] it's like having a hair dryer blowing in your face.
Will look into a infrared unit to be sure / or another temp guage -
thanks for your advice Bruce