Temp Problem

[markev]

HI ALL,THE PROBLEM IS I HAVE JUST HAD A NEW TEMP SENDER FITTED,THE TEMP TAKES A TIME TO REACH NORM WHEN STATIONARY,AS SOON AS I MOVE OFF IT STARTS TO GO DOWN TO JUST IN THE WHITE.i HAVE HEATED OUT OF BLOWERS WHEN STILL BUT GO COOL WHEN DRIVING,ANY IDEAS...THANX

[chromedome]

Is it a diesel? If so check if aux heater is working. You'll find pages and pages of info about this beast!!

[markev]

Is it a diesel? If so check if aux heater is working. You'll find pages and pages of info about this beast!!

sorry its 2.0l petrol mk1

[marinabrid]

id try changing the thermostat to start with

[markev]

id try changing the thermostat to start with

Thanks will give that a try..

[markev]

I covered the front of the rad with cardboard and still temp reading cold is it possible the wrong temp sender has been put in,only it did not work when i got the car,the new one does go to half way after about 20 mins on tick over but goes straight back down when driving,i was told there is different temp senders just wondering if it is the right one

[sparky Paul]

I covered the front of the rad with cardboard and still temp reading cold is it possible the wrong temp sender has been put in,only it did not work when i got the car,the new one does go to half way after about 20 mins on tick over but goes straight back down when driving,i was told there is different temp senders just wondering if it is the right one

 

Could still be the thermostat passing... even with the cardboard, this weather could be pushing some very cold air through to the rad.

 

If the temp. gauge rises up as the engine warms up, I would guess the sender is working correctly.

[markev]

I covered the front of the rad with cardboard and still temp reading cold is it possible the wrong temp sender has been put in,only it did not work when i got the car,the new one does go to half way after about 20 mins on tick over but goes straight back down when driving,i was told there is different temp senders just wondering if it is the right one

 

Could still be the thermostat passing... even with the cardboard, this weather could be pushing some very cold air through to the rad.

 

If the temp. gauge rises up as the engine warms up, I would guess the sender is working correctly.

would a faulty thermostat cause it to use more fuel cos using a bit more than norm

Edited December 2, 2010 by markev

[sparky Paul]

would a faulty thermostat cause it to use more fuel cos using a bit more than norm

 

If the engine is running cold, yes.

[markev]

would a faulty thermostat cause it to use more fuel cos using a bit more than norm

 

If the engine is running cold, yes.

just been garage,he said before i change the thermostat he would look at the matrix been blocked.but would that still make my temp gauge go down,and is it easy to unblock

[sparky Paul]

just been garage,he said before i change the thermostat he would look at the matrix been blocked.but would that still make my temp gauge go down,and is it easy to unblock

 

A blocked heater matrix can be difficult to clean out, and there's a fair bit of work removing it from the car. Is the front heater working properly? If it is, the heater matrix is not blocked - and there's two heater matrixes on the Galaxy anyway, so the chances of them both being blocked are slim. In any case, any blockages in the cooling system would tend to force engine temperature up, not down.

 

I would insist that he changes the thermostat and rubber seal. Deterioration of the thermostat seal is not uncommon, and can cause the same symptoms as a stuck open thermostat. Any fault with the thermostat or seal is often obvious once the old one is removed and inspected.

 

I find it odd that he's so reluctant to change the thermostat, it only takes a few minutes and the insert type fitted to the 2 litre petrol is only a few quid - It makes sense to change it regardless, if only to rule it out as a cause of the problems.

Edited December 3, 2010 by sparky Paul

[markev]

just been garage,he said before i change the thermostat he would look at the matrix been blocked.but would that still make my temp gauge go down,and is it easy to unblock

 

A blocked heater matrix can be difficult to clean out, and there's a fair bit of work removing it from the car. Is the front heater working properly? If it is, the heater matrix is not blocked - and there's two heater matrixes on the Galaxy anyway, so the chances of them both being blocked are slim. In any case, any blockages in the cooling system would tend to force engine temperature up, not down.

 

I would insist that he changes the thermostat and rubber seal. Deterioration of the thermostat seal is not uncommon, and can cause the same symptoms as a stuck open thermostat. Any fault with the thermostat or seal is often obvious once the old one is removed and inspected.

 

I find it odd that he's so reluctant to change the thermostat, it only takes a few minutes and the insert type fitted to the 2 litre petrol is only a few quid - It makes sense to change it regardless, if only to rule it out as a cause of the problems.

heaters warm up with car and produce warm heat before the temp gauge moves,after about half hour the temp gauge will read at 12 oclock when ticking over,heaters still blowing hot air as soon as i drive the temp gauge will slowly go down into the white and after about 5 to 10 mins driving the heaters start to blow cold air,where is the thermostat,is it located uder the coil pack on the right side or is it on the left under the altarnator

Edited December 3, 2010 by markev

[sparky Paul]

The symptoms you describe are classic thermostat stuck open... or even missing, which is sometimes done to disguise a coolant leak.

 

Not enough heat is being retained in the engine block, and in this weather, the radiator is the obvious exit point. Thermostat should shut this flow off when engine temperature is low.

[sparky Paul]

where is the thermostat,is it located uder the coil pack on the right side or is it on the left under the altarnator

 

I'm not exactly sure where the coil pack is on the 2 litre, but I think you're in the right area.

 

It's located on the end of the cylinder head at the gearbox end. Just follow the top radiator hose to a black plastic housing bolted to the head with three torx bolts - the thermostat is inside there, held in with a spring clip. IIRC there's a seal on the housing, and a seal under the thermostat.

[markev]

The symptoms you describe are classic thermostat stuck open... or even missing, which is sometimes done to disguise a coolant leak.

 

Not enough heat is being retained in the engine block, and in this weather, the radiator is the obvious exit point. Thermostat should shut this flow off when engine temperature is low.

thanx for your help,could you please tell me were the thermostat is and is it easy to do yourself,thanx again

[sparky Paul]

I think we cross-posted, thermostat location is as described above in post #14.;)

 

If you start the engine from stone cold, you can check the thermostat by feeling the temperature of the top radiator hose. It should not get warm until the engine reaches operating temperature. If it does, the thermostat is passing.

 

It's not a difficult job, you need the correct torx bit or driver to undo the housing, and be prepared to catch any coolant that runs out. Remove the items from the housing carefully, take note how everything fits... make sure everything goes back in the same position, and with the thermostat facing the right way.You will probably lose some coolant, so you will need to top up afterwards, and make sure you obtain a complete thermostat kit with the seals, not just an insert.

Edited December 3, 2010 by sparky Paul

[markev]

I think we cross-posted, thermostat location is as described above in post #14.;)

 

If you start the engine from stone cold, you can check the thermostat by feeling the temperature of the top radiator hose. It should not get warm until the engine reaches operating temperature. If it does, the thermostat is passing.

 

It's not a difficult job, you need the correct torx bit or driver to undo the housing, and be prepared to catch any coolant that runs out. Remove the items from the housing carefully, take note how everything fits... make sure everything goes back in the same position, and with the thermostat facing the right way.You will probably lose some coolant, so you will need to top up afterwards, and make sure you obtain a complete thermostat kit with the seals, not just an insert.

thanks,it must be the thermostat then cos the radiator hose does get warm,thanks again,will let the garage do it though cos im not that confident on doing things i cant see properly our get to properly..thanxs

[sparky Paul]

thanks,it must be the thermostat then cos the radiator hose does get warm,thanks again,will let the garage do it though cos im not that confident on doing things i cant see properly our get to properly..thanxs

 

No problem. Being armed with a bit of info can help a great deal when dealing with garages. ;)