i have a 2004 lancer ralliart and i was wondering what is the normal operation temperature. my teperature gauge reads just below half way but that is as far as it goes, i was thinking maybe the timing was set incorrectly because the idle speed at full operating temperature is about 650 rpm (the sticker under the hood says it should be 750) is this how the temp. gauge should read? or is there a problem maybe with my thermostat, timing, temperature sensor?

 

Your fine, that is normal. Btw where in FL are u ?

 

oh ok, i thought something was wrong, i thought the temp. gauge should read exactly half way. thanks for the reply. i live in Miami

 

here is a picture of the cluster, idk if those readings are normal, but the rpm is lower than the 750 that it should be and sometimes the cars takes a little longer to starts and also shakes a little when starting, could it be the timing?

 

Why do you keep thinking its timing? Was the belt changed recently? If its manual 650 is fine if it's auto it should be at 750.. Not sure how to adjust idle I don't think we can.. The vibration could be broken motor mount or solid motor mount.. The Gauge looks normal.. Why is your anti- lock light on?

 

Nice I'm in Miami also, you should come to the next lancer meet I'll pm you later with more info.

Got any pics of your car?

 

I would not put much stock in the tachometer reading at idle speed.

 

yeah the things is that it is auto, so it should be at 750 and it's not. i thought it was the timing because as far as i know, retarded timing will make the engine run cooler and with lower rpm, and advanced timing will make it run a little hotter and with higher rpm.. but i just wanted the opinion of another lancer ralliart owner, i had an 05 OZ rally before this car, and the rpm was about 750 and the temp. gauge would read exactly half way, thats why i am concern about the reading this car has. and the antilock is on because the driver side wheel speed sensor is broken... :/

 

our cars being coil over plug the only way you can adjust timing is a timing box or tune.. When you adjust timing you set base idle so advance or retard idle should be the same

 

The stock temperature gauge is not a real accurate indicator of operating temperature, although it gives some peace-of-mind when it reaches and stays around the halfway mark, and shows that things are normal. If the gauge ever goes wonky, it's usually just the sensor failing.

Get an oil or water temp gauge with numbers on it. I have an aftermarket oil temp gauge; highway cruising at 70 mph on a hot summer day oil temp is about 230 F, track day oil temp can go to 270 F, driving 25 km to work oil temp is about 200 F.

I installed this to see if I should take steps to cool the engine (add oil cooler, get a vented hood, etc).

btw, switching to synthetic engine oil (Castrol Edge) after about 30,000 km on regular dino (Castrol GTX) did reduce oil temps by about 10 F on average, which I assume is due to less internal friction.

 

RalliartN you should look into a larger b&m oil cooler, Dacib liked the improvement while in auto x.

 

Probably a good idea, I know where to get one here.