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Taking Engine Temps??

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NJRC

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Which would you say is the most accurate way to take the engine temperature?
On both my trucks, Savage and Tmaxx....I get two different readings when taking engine temps either way from photos. If I were to take an engine temp at the top of cylinder head, the temp is higher than if I were to take the temp reading on the side of the cylinder head. Since taking engine temps on the side of the cylinder head, the temp readings are much lower.
Which would you say is more accurate?
I kinda would think taking the temp reading on the side more accurate since it's closer to the glow plug?

Photo #1 - on top of cylinder head
DSCN0693.gif


Photo # 2 - on side of cylinder head
DSCN0694.gif
 
when you measure temp from the top of the cylinder head you're acutally getting more of a direct reading of the glow plug.measuring at the side will give you a reading of the heatsink temp,that's why you get a higher temp aiming through the top.I prefer measuring from the top because you're getting a reading from the hottest point of the engine (glow plug/combustion chamber).
 
That's basically showing the heatsink is doing what it's made to do. You're getting a lower reading from the side because it was being cooled before you shut it off.
 
The top but i heard that u had 2 hold it like 1/2 inch. away or somethin' like that ???........................
 
Always measure the temp from the top. You will get much more accurate readings using a temp gun with a laser pointer. You can not only read the temp of the plug but scan the circumference around the base of the plug (button). Once you do this you will see a variation in temp readings by as much as 10-20 degrees.
 
StrechM said:
You can not only read the temp of the plug but scan the circumference around the base of the plug (button). Once you do this you will see a variation in temp readings by as much as 10-20 degrees.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what was happening when I took readings from the side which was reading around the base of the plug. I was getting about 20 degrees below what I was reading if taken temps from the top.
 
I neevr seen a laser tip heat gun......................Who makes them.............cause i only got the 1 he has in the pic............
 
I do the following.

First I scan the plug. Then I scan the top of the cylinder head (button) between the plug and the heat sink head in a slow 360 degree circle. You will get multiple readings. I use the highest of those readings as my benchmark.
It takes an infrared heat gun with a laser pointer to be able to accurately point it within that tight of a space.

There are several manufactures. The mini temp guns are more in cost but much more accurate with the laser pointer. At the minimum one will run you $60-100.00 depending on the make. You do not have to be that close to it to measure the temp. I stand over the running vehicle and aim it straight down at the engine from about 2.5-3 feet away. It measures the same temp when held at point blank range. I hope that this helps you.


http://www.raytek-northamerica.com/cat.html?cat_id=2.3.5
 
I use the UEI INF150 Infrared Thermometer. You will always get a 10-20 degree difference in temps when you pass over the Exhaust section when scanning the top of the head. I would just use your highest temp reading, scanning around the glowplug area from the top.
 
I also check mine at the top. Remember heat rises.
 
I have the Raytek infrared. After measuring the top and the side of the head many times, you get used to how many degrees variance there is. With a Humm-V body, you can't get a read from the top till you remove the body. By then, it's cooled down some. I have a side window removed and by taking a read off the side of the head, I only have to add 15 degrees to know what the temp is at the top.
 
I like to use my fingers when checking my engines temp. lol I really need to get a temp gun. But my fingers work for now.
 
well I think I can agree for the most part from what everyone said but what about if you were using one of these temp readers? Most of those whom I have seen that use one of these, loops them on the bottom of the cooling head, pretty much around the last few fins of the head. Isn't that gonna be reading temps pretty much the same way as if you were to use a regular temp gun like the duratrax pointing it to the side rather than the top? I have never seen anyone loop it around the top of the head.
So now you know why I ask when it comes to wondering which is really close to accurate when it comes to taking the engine temps :shrug:

mipg2001.gif
 
When they say check it at the top, rather than the sides, they are not talking about the top of the fins, but the recessed area in the head where the glowplug is. Anyone like these loop style temp gauges? I was thinking about picking one up...
 
i had one but it only lasted a day. its easier to pull up and shoot it rather than try to mount the on-board in a place where it wont get beat up and still be able to read it. if they made a remote one that had a display which could be mounted to the radio where you could glance at it and know what the temp was any time in a race id definately buy it. i still dont know why the idea hasnt caught on and become affordable yet.
 

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