My temp gauge is above the middle. Now is this level normal or should I be concerned? I got the laser thermometer and the hottest spot on the radiator was 173F. What should I check ... sensors or gauge?

 

Temp sensor is on rear coolant pipe behind the heads, laser the pipe feeding the radiator. That temp is not normal.

 

The temp on the picture is not normal or the actual radiator temperature?

 

Your temp gage looks higher than normal. It doesn't usually move beyond 1/2 until 225 or so which is hot for normal driving. The sensor is bad or your actually running hot. Are the fans on constantly?

 

Did you check the basics? coolant levels and leaks? any smells?

 

Till 3 days ago I had a mechanical fan ( which just broke off ), but even with it on I had a same reading. The temp you see on pic is done during highway driving with an outside temp of 30, so there is sufficient airflow...

You mean check the temp on the heater hose, by the air relief plug?

 

Fluid levels are to spec.

 

Yeah any coolant pipe on the passenger side of the engine should give a better reading than the radiator itself. Is the lower radiator hose hot or cold? Cold it me be a stuck thermostat.

 

Lower hose was significantly colder. I will check toomorow and post with any further questions.
Thanks!

 

If it is stuck the engine is just flowing coolant around the radiator from the coolant bypass hose and the hose going through the oil cooler/warmer. Get that fan fixed.

 

OK... strange.... The hose going to the heater had a temp of 130F, The top black part of the radiator 174F, the bottom hose 100F.

 

Hoses are semi insulated, pipes are going to be a better gauge of the temp. I would just forget the laser temp thing. Feel the lower radiator hose with your hand while the car is showing that hot temp, if it's cold the thermostat is shut not allowing the radiator to flow out.

If you have no heat when it's showing hot on the gauge there may be air pockets.

 

I know bout the air pockets and they are out of the question. The lower hose is significantly colder the the upper one. It is warm while the top one is hot. If the thermostat would be closed the lower hose would be cold, or just warm?

 

With no fan running, I imagine the lower hose would be warm. Based on the temp you're gauge is showing if the thermostat were open and flowing it should be nearly as how as the upper hose since no fan is cooling the radiator.

 

I'll try not to be repetitive since you've gotten good advice so far. I'd start with the thermostat, especially since you describe 2 temps on the top and bottom hoses. Thermostats are usually a 2 bolt removal- it seems the most likely first place to look since you have coolant in the car. Secondly, if that doesn't fix it, move up one step and look at a faulty sensor possibility-- a bad sensor can result in your engine running rich and unstable cabin and engine temps. If that doesn't fix it, look at the radiator core-- is it blocked. The next step is examining the water pump-- is it going bad, Finally, and this one requires you swallow first, check for exhaust in the cooling system to make sure it's not a blown head gasket.

So you basically move from least expensive and simplest to most expensive and complicated. Good Luck.