4200 Running temperature

[GraemeA]

Hi All

My 2004 CC seems to run at around 70 degrees C. Is this normal?

 

[Swedish Paul]

Mine runs around 80. I've been told by Maserati that under 90 in fine. Hotter than that is a problem.

 

[philw696]

I would say the thermostat is at fault from experience.
Got one coming for mine which is 2004.
Enroute from the USA as we speak.

 

[CatmanV2]

Sounds a bit low to me. What happens on the motorway and in traffic?

I rather suspect Phil's correct

C

 

[CatmanV2]

Mine runs around 80. I've been told by Maserati that under 90 in fine. Hotter than that is a problem.

Much lower and you're going to run into winter issues as well

C

 

[StuartW]

This assumes that the gauge is accurate of course but 90-95 I would say is fine

 

[CatmanV2]

This assumes that the gauge is accurate of course but 90-95 I would say is fine

I don't recall anyone having issues with the gauges, but I agree. Mine certainly had quite a range

C

 

[Gp79]

70° is far too low, the thermostat must be stuck fully open.

The engine should run close to 90° at all times regardless of speed your traveling.

 

[FIFTY]

70° is far too low, the thermostat must be stuck fully open.

The engine should run close to 90° at all times regardless of speed your traveling.

Really? Mine seems to run cooler in "free air" temp drop to 75/80 and then 90 in traffic.

I have noticed since I diverted my heater matrix in traffic the dial sits just a scratch over 90 but I guses the matrix has some coolimg effect on the system as it releases heat into the cabin.

Also I am pretty sure the oil pressure sensor is dead as the pressure is always on full and it used to drop down slightly on idle once the engine got up to temperature

 

[StuartW]

Also I am pretty sure the oil pressure sensor is dead as the pressure is always on full and it used to drop down slightly on idle once the engine got up to temperature

They are a notoriously weak point with a short shelf life, and are also quite hard to source new. They could soon become an obsolete OEM part I fear

 

[CatmanV2]

They are a notoriously weak point with a short shelf life, and are also quite hard to source new. They could soon become an obsolete OEM part I fear

Contact Zep. He has an adapter and a replacement cheap part. It also makes future replacement much easier.

C

 

[Navcorr]

Contact Zep. He has an adapter and a replacement cheap part. It also makes future replacement much easier.

C

Very good to know! Another bookmark for the expanding folder.

 

[CatmanV2]

Very good to know! Another bookmark for the expanding folder.

My 4200 was a guinea pig. It took a couple of hours to it, but had no problems in the rest of my ownership. I assume Wack61 has had none either.

C

 

[Gp79]

Really? Mine seems to run cooler in "free air" temp drop to 75/80 and then 90 in traffic.

Yes, that is a symptom of a stuck open thermostat.

The thermostat should regulate the temp of the engine to around 88-90° it does this by opening only as required to allow coolant flow to the radiator.

At least you know the sender is good as it comes up to 90° in traffic.

 

[FIFTY]

My 4200 was a guinea pig. It took a couple of hours to it, but had no problems in the rest of my ownership. I assume Wack61 has had none either.

C

No mine is just a dog haha... to be fair to it she has not actually let me down but I don't do very many miles in it!

I'll send a message to Zep now

Yes, that is a symptom of a stuck open thermostat.

The thermostat should regulate the temp of the engine to around 88-90° it does this by opening only as required to allow coolant flow to the radiator.

At least you know the sender is good as it comes up to 90° in traffic.

OK I thought it was strange at first but then I put it down as a quirk of one of these cars... guess the thermostat being stuck open makes more sense

How difficult is it to change the thermostat... is it a DIY or specialist job?

Edit: Never mind I found a short how-to: http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/9347-4200-Thermostat-Replacement

Although on post 24 Richard says his car sits just above 75C on the motorway post thermostat change which contradicts what you are saying Gp and I am a little confused as a result

 

[Gp79]

Interesting maybe there are / were other factors such as sender problem with the issue in that post?

For the cost involved it is definitely worth replacing (when you do a coolant change) if there is any doubt it is not functioning properly.

Every car i have owned the coolant temp has always sat around 90° regardless of the speed

 

[FIFTY]

Likewise... (sorry if this is stupid) I put it down to the engine being "race derived" and you know when they say in F1 that the car running in clean air gets more engine, brake cooling, less turbulent air etc. Obviously I know it's not a F1 engine but rather a distant relative to a GT race engine... I'm sure someone will come along to tell me I'm wrong

Also I had a busted sender and dodgy wiring making one of the fans work intermittently, luckily Autofficina caught it last summer.

 

[Swedish Paul]

I only run in clean air. I live in the middle of nowhere....

The car can get to 90 in traffic. Or heavy right foot use.

 

[spn]

They are a notoriously weak point with a short shelf life, and are also quite hard to source new. They could soon become an obsolete OEM part I fear

This is an equivalent part, much cheaper and works. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oil-Pressure-10-bar-M18-X-1-5-WK-Sender-Unit-replaces-VDO-warning-contact-0-5-/391617486032

 

[Gp79]

This is an equivalent part, much cheaper and works. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oil-Pressure-10-bar-M18-X-1-5-WK-Sender-Unit-replaces-VDO-warning-contact-0-5-/391617486032

Not being funny but i would not fit ebay sourced engine parts to any car, definitely not my maserati.