Engine temperature gauge 450E

[Subsailorpete987$]

Greetings all
1985 450E
Engine temperature gauge is going into hot zone when running for a while
Prior owner said he checked it out and machine was not overheating
Noticed needle does not drop all the way down to the left when machine is off and cold
Anyone recognize these symptoms please advise
Thanks!

[Jim B]

Welcome to theboards.

Check the temperature at the left rear of the head where the temp sender for the engine is located and also check the temp of the head behind the outlet neck to the radiator when the gauge is showing hot. If those are less than 175 up to about 200 degrees you most likely have a bad gauge, sender, or wiring. If replacement is needed buy a gauge kit that includes a sender, as the ohm ranges of gauge and sender must match to read correctly.

[Subsailorpete987$]

Thanks for your reply and what type of thermometer would I use to read the temperatures?

[Jim B]

A non-contact "temp gun", infra-red thermometer.

[Subsailorpete987$]

Thanks again Jim