infrared temp gun

[fishingaz]

hi all. can you tell me if i use one of the infrared temperature units on say the block .would that tell me the average of the internalls?or just that spot where i point it at.
or do i just point at water hose and believe that reading?
i havent bought this gun yet .just hope the cheapies off ebay would do the job.
any info would be great .thanks gary.

[TVR-190]

They only measure the temp of the spot they are pointed at, and they are only accurate within about 2 degrees (and thats the expensive models)

[Sabbath']

^Yup. Infra-red, not xray

[fishingaz]

but checking either side of the thermostat would tell me if that is opening?

[Dr HaxZaw]

the only problem there will be the heat soak from the engine... should be alright though

[juiceie vh sle]

if all ya want to do is check the thermostat then just pull it out and put it in a jug of boiling water

[ari666]

if all ya want to do is check the thermostat then just pull it out and put it in a jug of boiling water

lol NOOOO! thats waaay to cheap and easy. OP go buy that friggen expensive temp gun!

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Honestly, if you can't tell if a thermostat is working, put your tools down, walk away from the car and never work on it again.

[fishingaz]

its not a car im working on.its my boat where raw water is picked up from the ocean and run through a heat exchanger to cool the glycol then returned to the ocean.
so i need to know what part is breaking down?

[vx_commodore]

Yeh Infrared temp gun's are quiet handy for stuff like that, I mean, As apposed to other stuff out there.
I use a quiet expensive one at work and i use it on quiet an array of problem solving.
There handy for stuff where you would otherwise burn your hand getting to the point to test.
In your case, It will help you test external component's related to the cooling process, But it cant tell internal temp's.