What should be the operating coolant temperature? I’m running 201-203 around the city. and 198 in the highway. idling i’m doing 203-206 after a good drive. is this normal? what’s the best temperature? After a good beating, the car will hit 208, and the fan will come on time to time

 

It would be helpful to know the vehicle details.

 

2005 Jaguar S Type R Supercharged 4.2L V8

 

Your good with those stated temps...

 

You should notice that the fan will run constantly on "low" when fully warmed up. A good test to ensure your temps are good is when you shut the car down.

If the fan goes off your good. Usual first tell tale sign of engine running hot is hearing the fan run after engine shut down.

I have an 04 XJR and I just swapped off a few coolant hoses and I've been monitoring temps and im running pretty much right where you are and I have zero issues!

My highway temp is around 194 - 196.

 

Huge thanks, i know how these motors get if they get too hot

 

So the temp gauge on the dash is of no use.

It will stay on dead center from about 170 degrees to about 230 degrees.

If the needle moves up past dead center you have issues, but the fan running after engine shut down is a pre cursor to a cooling issue or an impending issue...

When the engine is "hot" the PCM will run the fan on high after shut down to cool the coolant down...

 

If the radiator fan is running when the engine is shut off, the thermostat is most likely the cause.

 

The instrument cluster gauge does not change between 96 C and 128 C, which is problematic as the chance of warping the block and or heads is very likely.