Temp Gauge

My temp gauge is always just above 90....was told by some this is normal for cavalier...others say that it should not go past 1/4....anyone have a clue what it is supposed to be??? would really appreciate it...

Not sure where 90 is in relation to the gauge, but 1/2 is not harmful to the engine. In fact it's quite normal on my vehicle. 1/4 sounds more like newer vehicles which are obviously better at ridding of excess heat.

ok...mine is 2001...so i dunno...but 90 is 1/2 and it is always just a little above that....but i've just had so many problems with it...want to know what is normal and what is not, thanks :)

Yeah mine does that all the time. I asked the dude I bought the car from (supposedly bought it new) and he said that was normal for this car. Though I would still suggest having a 197 degree thermostat. I believe that is what the haynes manual said.

197?? the spec for a 95-2001 indicates a 180 degree thermostat.. should be about half

Sorry... 195 degree.

The Haynes manual tells me 195.

the haynes manual is wrong.

if your gauge bounces around at all your coolant temp sensor is bad and it might be giving you a false reading but definetly 195 is what the thermastat is supposed to open at. if any lower than 195 premature engine damage will occur too high and you will cause alot of problems