cooling system/temp guage.....
Discussion
Hi Guys...
After driving the wedge plenty there's always been one problem I've yet to look at but is unnerving me slightly...
The temp guage reads at below 80 constantly.... It does move up and down, but not by much. Fan seem to kick in (But will check this by idling it tommorrow (Day off!!) untill they switch on.) Any thoughts? Do I need to do anything to maintain the cooling system? Is there anyway I can check what temp its at? I'm no expert so is it best left to the professionals as if this goes wrong its goodnight wedge!? Also, should the coolant look a slightly yellow colour?
Sorry for the dumb questions!
Cheers
Greg
After driving the wedge plenty there's always been one problem I've yet to look at but is unnerving me slightly...
The temp guage reads at below 80 constantly.... It does move up and down, but not by much. Fan seem to kick in (But will check this by idling it tommorrow (Day off!!) untill they switch on.) Any thoughts? Do I need to do anything to maintain the cooling system? Is there anyway I can check what temp its at? I'm no expert so is it best left to the professionals as if this goes wrong its goodnight wedge!? Also, should the coolant look a slightly yellow colour?
Sorry for the dumb questions!
Cheers
Greg
jeahgreg said:
Cheers andy! there's no way that the guage could be wrong is there?
Greg
Well, yes, there could be. It is a TVR after all! But realistically, if the the car is running nicely, and the fan is coming in/out as it should then you're probably OK. Greg
Stay on top of any leaks, and keep an eye out for the fan packing up. Some people fit auxiliary fans and switches, and thats fine if you want to. Mine's just as it left the factory, and behaves just like yours.
Andy
At what temperature the fan kicks in? If this is below 90 degrees Celcius you could have a misreading. The gauge itself or the instruments earthing can cause similar effects (my volt gauge moves all over the place when indicating!). On mine the gauge reads higher with the fan on, as well the oil pressure...
Other thing that is possible, that a previous owner installed a low temp opening thermostat (these are available for range rovers) to counteract overheating issues, and could cause your low reading. But even with that at constant speed (engine power, no changes to the throttle) and same circumstances: the temperature should stay rock steady. If not and temperature fluctuates under constant conditions I would suspect the thermostat, and next to that check there is no trapped air in the coolant system (difficult on a wedge but can be done).
Most positive would be an very oversized radiator, but on TVRs and wedges that is only theoretical.
And by the way we are all nervous about engine temperature (and oil pressure), and that keeps us checking the engine 'state' as we should.
Rob
Other thing that is possible, that a previous owner installed a low temp opening thermostat (these are available for range rovers) to counteract overheating issues, and could cause your low reading. But even with that at constant speed (engine power, no changes to the throttle) and same circumstances: the temperature should stay rock steady. If not and temperature fluctuates under constant conditions I would suspect the thermostat, and next to that check there is no trapped air in the coolant system (difficult on a wedge but can be done).
Most positive would be an very oversized radiator, but on TVRs and wedges that is only theoretical.
And by the way we are all nervous about engine temperature (and oil pressure), and that keeps us checking the engine 'state' as we should.
Rob
As you haven't mentioned it, I'll relate my situation. The engine (1989 450SE) has been rebuilt and to make sure the temperature gauge gives a realistic reading, a rheostat has been fitted and adjusted accordingly. The rheostat is from a fuel tank sender unit! The gauge appears to be original.
Please shout if you need any more of a description.
Please shout if you need any more of a description.
jeahgreg said:
Hi Guys...
After driving the wedge plenty there's always been one problem I've yet to look at but is unnerving me slightly...
The temp guage reads at below 80 constantly.... It does move up and down, but not by much. Fan seem to kick in (But will check this by idling it tommorrow (Day off!!) untill they switch on.) Any thoughts? Do I need to do anything to maintain the cooling system? Is there anyway I can check what temp its at? I'm no expert so is it best left to the professionals as if this goes wrong its goodnight wedge!? Also, should the coolant look a slightly yellow colour?
Sorry for the dumb questions!
Cheers
Greg
After driving the wedge plenty there's always been one problem I've yet to look at but is unnerving me slightly...
The temp guage reads at below 80 constantly.... It does move up and down, but not by much. Fan seem to kick in (But will check this by idling it tommorrow (Day off!!) untill they switch on.) Any thoughts? Do I need to do anything to maintain the cooling system? Is there anyway I can check what temp its at? I'm no expert so is it best left to the professionals as if this goes wrong its goodnight wedge!? Also, should the coolant look a slightly yellow colour?
Sorry for the dumb questions!
Cheers
Greg
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