Temperature Gauge Reading

[dctvr]

I have a late 94 Griff 500 and have had problems with overheating. I had the system pressure tested and there were no leaks. My mechanic found two blockages in the radiator, so that it was replaced. My mechanic reckons that my fans are cutting in around 97 degrees, but not cutting out again until the temperature reaches 74 degrees. He has indicated that I should replace the fan otter switch as it seems as if it is incorrect. Whilst this is being undertaken, I will replace the thermostat. Regardless of curing the radiator blockage, My car still deems to be running as warm as 100 degrees in traffic. Is this normal? Also, if I swwitch off the engine when this is happening and then switch the ignition back on without engaging the starter motor the temp gauge reads 85 degrees. Does this sound as if my gauge is inaccurate? can anyone help?

Dave
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[tamago]

sounds perfectly normal to me, it was a bit hot (but i didn't experience any overheating or loss of coolant)...then i put some mod-wise bits on my car, since the margin of error before the head gasket goes is very small, do a search and you`ll get the picture.

[burriana500]

David - my '97 G500 used to run between 90 - 100 plus a bit, which is not apparently too unusual for cars with no cooling adapts done. And on a pressurised system the boiling point is higher than 100 (sorry if you knew this already).
For UK use I would have left it as it was, its only cos I'm taking it to Spain that I have had a Mod-wise 2-stage cooling kit fitted. Fans now come on at half speed around 80 and full speed around 87 - the car now runs steady between 80 and 90.

A 74 degree thermostat and a new otter switch will probably see you just fine.

[simon.b]

I’m of the opinion that Griff’s do run close to the edge, regarding the cooling system. When everything is working properly they are fine.

Has it always run these temperatures ? If so and you don’t have any problems other than a high gauge reading I would get this checked, they are not known for their accuracy.

Having said that a new stat and otter switch won’t break the bank.

Cheers,

Simon.

[gerjo]

dctvr said:

my fans are cutting in around 97 degrees, but not cutting out again until the temperature reaches 74 degrees.

Cutting in at 97 seems very late. Mine cut in at 80-85 degrees. It runs 75-85 on the highway and around 90 in traffic, 95 when it's realy hot.
Either the gauge is wrong or the thermostat needs replacement (but I'm no expert, so see what others have to say).

[dctvr]

Thanks to everyone for their help. It has been very useful.

[gortonjl]

I also have 94 griff 500 , the temperature reading when cruiseing on the motorway reads 90 Celius in traffic this soon creaps up to 95. When it was really hot(a couple of weeks ago) the gauge was edgeing towards 100 celius but the car was effectively static for about 45 minutes).I have decided that fan override switch would give some piece mind.....Incidently has anyone had expericence fitting one of the modwise fan override switches. There surpose to just plug in and replace the instrument light switch....

[Guillotine]

firstly, i'd read the bible.

next, sounds as tho you have the standard rover t'stat. they are set to run r/rover at the optimum 90. cramped griffs with crap airflow stuggle with this.

so

tvr run a coolet t'stat ( around 84 i believe) and a coresponding otter switch.

then there's the cool running kit developed by peninsula (and others) but nicked (sorry marketed) by l@ven, which uses a combination of 75 t'stat and otter with a dose of water wetter to make the most of the cooling system.

mine has the latter with twin front splitter and ran at 90 max satationary in the hot weather. dropped straight back to 75 on the move.
means you can have the air-con on in italy without boiling the car!!
DID HIT THE 100 MARK ONCE...BUT THAT WAS LAPPING IMOLA

so not much to worry about and cheap to do.