Engine temperature

Thanks, but what should the engine head temperature be?

I noticed that my previous answer was posted short and with missing words, it should have read: "Proper oil temperature for any vehicle with water cooled engine is between 220 and 240 F. For vehicles with air cooled engines, such as VW, oil temperature is in a safe operating range at 190-220 F under normal operating conditions and up to 260 F under heavy demand. Cylinder heads on air cooled engines can sustain temperatures in the range of 290 - 320 F. I think the 180 degrees myth came from that being that the water starts boiling at that range". And there is a mention about the dipstick test: "With the engine completely warmed up, grab the dip stick and pull it out. If you can just hold it without it burning your fingers, the engine temperature is OK. If it burns your fingers (and the engine will usually smell hot too), then the temperature is possibly as high as 285°F." I copied this information from a magazine article, Water Cooled vs Air Cooled Engines, printed in 1990. I just don't know what to say except, if the next buyer mentions the "dip stick", offer him a pair of gloves, just in case.

I agree with Jorge, although I might mention there are other factors to check out that can cause engine to run a little hot. Plug gap, point gap, timing and valve clearance can all affect how efficiently the engine runs. Also make sure that the alternator belt is tight and not slipping as that drives the blower fan bolted to the back of the alternator shaft. I also agree that you can definitely smell when the engine is running on the hot side. It has a metallic smell to it, and any oil on the motor or just what has come up from the road on the bottom of the case will also smell.

I replace oil stick whith a long rod thermometer. It reaches around 220 F. Im running 10-40 syntetic on my 1979 beetle 1800cc