Engine Operating Temperature

[Dere2000]

What is normal engine operating temperature on the Esprit?

[lotus4s]

What model are you referring to? V8's run a little warmer than 4 cyl and ambient temp affects the temps as well.

As a vague generality, normal operating temp for a 4 cyl would be 85-95 degrees C. V8's approximately 10 degrees hotter.

Are you having a specific problem?

[mvesprit]

Depends on your location. Here in Georgia mine runs around 90 A/C on and driving. Creeps up to 100 in stop and go traffic I will usually beat the radiator to the punch and turn off the AC and open the windows and drops right back down if I am caught in traffic. Long winded answer, but I believe it should run between 85 and 95.

[Quicker]

on the 4pot - if your car is using stock ECU programming (non-chipped):
- thermostat opens at 90°C
- fans come on at 92°C
- tell light comes on at 105°C

if I'm moving and it's 90°F or less - I never get over 85°C. This Texas summer was crazy hot (68 days over 100°F) so my SE spent a lot of time bouncing between 85°C and 95°C constantly up and down.

it's common for the gauge to be a little off so check using Freescan.

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by Quicker

on the 4pot - if your car is using stock ECU programming (non-chipped):
- thermostat opens at 90°C

The 4 cylinder Esprits have a thermostat that is SUPPOSED to open at 82C. Fan actuation depends on year. (ECU or Otter-switch controlled)

YMMV...I've replaced several t-stats during my 16 years of Esprit ownership.

++++++++++

Again we need to know what year Dere2000 is referring to. If he has a 2000 V8, they DO run warmer...but they are prone to coolant loss out of the overflow bottle in the RR wheel housing. Once the coolant gets low, a proper radiator bleed is often needed.

[Dere2000]

It is a 2003 V8

[gregte]

Same here, my V8 runs up to about 100c when sitting in traffic, the fan seems to hold it there, once you get moving again it's back to 85c.

[Simba]

V8s will run around 85-90 on the gauge when moving, 95-100 with the fans cycling on the craptastic stock radiator.

With a good aluminum unit, you have to try very hard to exceed 85.