97 SE
The temp shoots to 190 to 210 while "stuck in traffic" and returns to 110 when speeds reach 45mph. Do I have a problem? What is normal running engine temp?

When its gets hot, I get that "smell" like the rad hose is going.

At what temp should the therm open?

Thanks,

Stock therm is 195.

How many miles?

Does the temp shoot to 110? I didn't know the gauge went that low.

And yes the engine will increase in temp when you are sitting still in traffic and will cool off when more air is going through the radiator.

Thanks Kevin.


Dennis

x2 w/Kevin. Our cars LOVE to run wide open, and hate to stand in General Population (traffic jam). The minimum registered on the dial is 160. My car seems to have a normal operating temperature of 210, and while standing, it can run at about 220-230.

The radiator hose smells like that during traffic or while running in the open? Either way, I would suggest replacing the radiator hoses and flushing the system. Just to be absolutely sure.

Some earlier model years the temp gauge starts at 100. Mine does.

My car always seems to run really low. I never get above 180, i had the check engine light come on so i took it to autozone and they said the coolant temp sensor was bad but then a few weeks later it was fine, so i dont know. In the winter i stayed around 160-170 but then when spring came i went up to 180.

sounds like your car has a drilled 180 t-stat. If it doesn't warm up fast enought sometimes it will throw a code.

I think the 210 is normal but maybe your tstat is stuck open and that's why it goes so low when driving faster.

When you start your car does it take too long to warm up?