Water temperature gauge???

[psuinsight]

I am interested in running my Insight with a radiator block during cold weather. (10 F tonight Brrrrrr)
I am unsure of what type of temperature gauge is best for the Insight.
Is there a gauge that connects to the diagnostic port?
Or will I need to install a sensor in the engine block and run wires?
Thanks for any advice from an Insightful driver

[Billy]

....I use a Scangauge II and it provides not only water temp, but many other readings as well. My Insight is nearly always showing 197 F water temp, with it occasionally rising to 202 F. This is during the summer, or the winter with mods including a radiator block.

[LoNOx 1]

I left mine in all year. Temps here in the Midwest are in the 80's and 90's in July. I checked it periodically with OBD2 on a laptop. I drove at least two 50 mile trips each day.

[Insightful Trekker]

With the hills here in east Tennessee I can leave mine in 'til ambient temps reach the mid 80's.

Any higher and ECT's will rise to the fan on point while driving. IIRC something that would not otherwise happen (the fans only run with A/C on or in stop & go traffic). This also implies that a change in driving habits (more agressive) could cause overheating in warmer temps too.

When you figure the cost of an additional gauge then some type of scan tool becomes more cost effective. Also, if you already have a Palm or Pocket PC then there are cables & software available to use them as a fairly sophisticated scan tool.

I use Auterra for the palm.

HTH!

[Guillermo]

I don't monitor my temperature with anything extra, but I only use the rad cover when it's close to freezing temperatures and below. And there is no concern of overheating at those temperatures even in stop and go traffic because heat is being extracted from the engine to warm the cabin anyways.

[james]

I use the ScanGauge II also, and see water temps up to maybe 205 F when climbing mountains, with the radiator block in. This is in winter, of course. I also have the hot air intake mod, and interestingly the intake air temp shows a lot of variation. On level ground, after the car has warmed the IAT will be in the 70-90 F range. Start a long climb, though, and it will quickly jump to 120 or more. More hot exhaust going through the catalytic converter, I suppose.