Normal Temperature for 1994 Corsica ? 3/4 ?

Hello everyone -

I have a 1994 3.1 V6 Corsica which has been a good car, I have newer transmission and that was most of the work done so far, knock on wood please.

I realized last winter - I had low coolant light come on but had no idea where it was going, hopefully not head gasket.

So, I took it in to a couple of mechanics (to make sure they were all saying the same thing) and they all agreed I need new valve gasket covers for an oil leak, and also there was a hole in my manifold or I need a manifold gasket as you could see a puddle of coolant there on the engine, and upon removing the oil fill cap there was a few chucks of the green coolant.

I got the work done, and this included a coolant flush and a new thermostat. But I noticed that my tempeture guage is at 3/4" most of the time after driving for several minutes (15 - 20) and idling at a light, it then moves back down to the half way mark and that is usually where it bounces between 1/2 and 3/4. Now, I am in Michigan and it is bitter cold and I do not drive with the heat on (don't ask me why I just don't). Is this normal?

I read several other posts that said 3/4 is normal but fixed by a coolant flush, and I believe my mechanic did do it - my bill stated I had new thermostat. I cannot tell if my fan is coming on, but is it, if I drive away from a stop and the guage begins to lower to half way? Anyway to check?

Am I ok to continue like this?

Thanks in advance!

I would guess that either your fan isn't working (as was the case with one of our other model cars), or the ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor going to the ECM is bad. If i'm not mistaken, these cars have 2 ECT sensors -- one goes directly to the dash to show the temperature, and the other goes to the ECM.

I have the pleasure of having a dad that works for and has worked for a GM dealer for to many years to count now. He is the bodyshop manager. I called him to ask him the temp question and he looked it up for me and said the the needle should be half way (dead center) . The temp is 195F
Hope this helps.

Perhaps this will help. I have a 91 Corsica, which had the temp sensors changed (along with some wiring) by GM years ago while having some other work done on the car. They did not charge me for this , and I forgot to ask why. Afterwards mine read pretty much normal,(1/4 to 1/3) but had been reading as yours was. Perhaps the guage is not right. My son also had a 94 Beretta which ALWAYS ran close to halfway, and sometime higher. Was told this was normal. Best thing to do is get or borrow a scan tool suited for the car, and measure it that way, or possibly put an aftermarket one in... That is provided of course the cooling fan (electric) has not failed, or your thermostat is bad, or, if you have some blockage in radiator. (If the radiator has enough junk in it a simple flush won't cure it. Has to be done by a radiator specialist.