Increasing water temps and mapping

[roseytvr]

Guys

Fitted a new engine last year and replaced all hoses, pipe work and uprated the rad to a three core. Fitted an aftermarket Ecu and had it all set up and mapped on a rolling road. The car runs a treat but fuel consumption is down to 18 mpg on a gently motorway cruise and much lower obviously when I boot it. The running temperature is much reduced, probably only 60 degrees ish unless in traffic or after a spirited drive. The plugs aren't bad but a little blacker than I would expect to see and the car always gets a good run when used. At a guess the ecu is probably enriching the mix because of cold operating temperatures, and this is causing reduced fuel consumption. Does this sound about right or am I talking total bs?

Reading the bible optimum temperature is approx72 degrees when cruising and I am someway below this. I can partly cover the rad to increase running temperatures. Question is if I do this will it effect the mapping requirements of the engine or just bring it up to the suggested parameters ie do I need to get it remapped?

Any comments or opinions appreciated
Rosey

Edited by roseytvr on Tuesday 22 April 22:29

[roseytvr]

Thanks for the comments guys

TV8 said:

Hi Ian, where are you getting the temperature from? The gauge or the ECU logs?

How are you Graham, sounds like yours is sorted - taking the temp from the gauge, will have a look at the logs when I get chance. Will try to also get my hands on a digital thermometer to try and accurately gauge the temperature.

Chuffmeister said:

I'd connect it up to the laptop and read the running water temp from there. The TVR gauge is really inaccurate as is the location of the original sender. Most cars are designed to run around the 90degs mark, with the fans kicking in about 95 IIRC. On a steady cruise mine ran between 86-88, quickly rising as you slow down. So I would say anywhere between 85 and 95 is normal operating temperature.

Christian how does the ecu measure temperature, is it from the same sender? My fans are kicking in at mid 90 on the gauge which indicates to me the gauge isn't far out but I could be wrong.

I don't know what stat I have but think I will change it just in case. Will post up more when I know more!

[roseytvr]

Seems like an easy fix - bought a new 82 degree stat just in case the stat was knackered even though the engine is only 12 months old. Took off the housing today to change it to find literally nothing. No thermostate fitted by my so called expert engine builder!! No wonder it's running cold!

All back together and temps upto to 82 degrees when crusing. Oil and filter change to follow!!

Peter - check your stat!!

Thanks for your input all.

[roseytvr]

To put this to bed, the running temp is all sorted now. Checked fuel consumption on the way home, averaged 17 mpg all year but now up to 25 mpg on my way back from Bedford TD today, result!

Need to sort out the who built an engine without a stat tomorrow

I will start a new thread on what I need to check to make sure there is no permanent damage.

Peter - change your stat!