Hey guys, Alex here.

So I just installed the RealGuage kit from Whitexkr. I am glad I did this! I noticed after installing it that my 2000 xkr seems to be running very hot, I hooked up my obd-II scanner and I'm at about 190 degrees F( ~87 C) driving it gets up to 201.

This seems way too hot to me, It is 75 outside here in Florida. My concern is that during the spring and summer months I may run the risk of over heating.

Are these operating temperatures normal? I am considering either fitting a larger diameter water pump pulley(if available) or adding an auxiliary fan on the radiator.

What do you all think?
I would really appreciate any advise or words of wisdom.

 

Alex,
Moved you into the XK8/R thread since this is car specific - and also WhiteXKR territory - he's your man for temperatures.

 

I think I'd find out what the normal coolant temp should be before trying to re-engineer the car. 190-200 sounds perfectly normal to me.

Two things to consider:

1) a larger pulley on the pump will slow the coolant flow, the opposite of what you think you need to do.

2) there's already a fan on the rad. If it's not operating while you're seeing the temperature excursions, this should be a clue that there's no additional fans needed.

You may have actually discovered why Jaguar chose to put a 'dumb' gauge in the cars or why so many other cars have no temp gauge at all.

 

Yes, relax. My XK8 runs in the same range, even gets to 210 on a hot day with a long climb. One of the reasons I left Florida is that there are no long climbs. Not many curves, either.

 

Those temperature ranges are what my car runs at(ish) - according to my OBD 2 readouts. I fitted a new water pump and thermostat about 1500m ago as preventative maintenance so I think they are about right - doubtless one of the techs on here will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I just installed the kit yesterday and was suprised that the temp runs at 205 at idle. Internet search seemed to confirm that it's okay for a modern V8. If you're a boater you'd be looking at a problem, but I guess not for cars. My fans didn't even kick on until about 215.

 

Same range for my XKR. I have RealGuage too and 200 is pretty normal. I've seen it touch 215 sitting in traffic in the 120 deg Arizona heat, but cools right down again at cruise speed.

 

The development programme on the XK8 involved extensive testing in the 40 deg heat of Death Valley and the sub zero temperatures of Lapland.

If the cooling system is well maintained, you should not need to overspeed the water pump or consider additional cooling fans.

Graham

 

Fitting a smaller pump pulley could well be counterproductive anyway.
The pump will (hopefully) have been designed not to cavitate at maximum rpm.
Pushing up the rpm will increase the chance of cavitation which will be worse at high coolant temperatures.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I thought it was high but if everyone else is having about the same temperature readings then looks like I'm all good.

I feel much more comfortable with what I see now.

Mikey: you are right this is why jaguar puts a dumb gauge on there, for fools like me haha

 

I've never seen or heard of a car where coolant circulation speed was either the problem or the cure, other when there was 'none'.

 

I am awful late to the party here, but I agree that your temperatures are right where they should be.

And thank you Alex for purchasing RealGauge!