Top idea mate! Just wish I didn't live so far away from the shops haha. 3 weeks wait on any post!
I've read about factory gauges being a bit off the mark. Would a temp reading of the outside of the hose be close enough to the inside coolant temp?
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Yea it should be spot on.. may get some slight variations if it's minus temps of blowing a strong wind
I'd still investigate the fuel settings.
If its blowing black smoke all the time it's possibly over fueling. That could be pushing EGT's and that would also increase the engine temp.
But yea start with the Lazer temp gauge.
If it is high then maybe look at a tune.
Yea I did when I went 33's.. but not to be. It just loaded it more, more smoke and more fuel used..
Took it back to factory after a few months..
ok Ash, you have several questions that need several different answers
Black smoke - yeppers, its over fueling, so some reason most of the TD42's sold in the Territory & northern WA all had the Injector pump advanced..........( mate used to work at Nissan in Darwin in 80s-90's) not sure of the thought process, but it was to overcome the fuel vaporizing issue some had with the SD33's in the MQ's
have a look at that, as this will not help it with running too hot
aftermarket gauge.
get a decent one - electronic, or even an old mechanical one - either either, sounds like the one you have is cactii to the max
factory gauge
these are really just a "sort of maybe could be temp gauge"
about as accurate as a $2 watch
when the needle is at the mark just before HOT - thats its normal hot running temp - approx 105*C
the hot mark is approx 110*C
when its about 1/2 way - thats a normal running temp in cooler climates
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as Kallen said, if you can get hold of one of those temp guns and just double check the aftermarket gauge you have, it will help
Great stuff thanks mate, it looks as though there's a few avenues to head down now. I will look into my gauge temperature and possibly get that replaced and get someone to back off the fuel a little as that might help with heat and economy too.
Cheers for everyones input, good to get an outside perspective on something thats been bugging me for a while!