Any ideas

[C8 CDS]

Got the Cerbera out for a wash today, had her sitting there ticking over whilst washing her. Just started to dry her off when i noticed alot of steam coming from under the bonnet. - alot more than just a bit of water from the hose.
I turned her off quickly, and noticed the temp gauge read 'a bit' over 100!! Upon opening the bonnet alot more steam evaporated, and i noticed the fans weren't on. Any ideas what it would be??

[buzz01]

hi chris,obviously check expansion cap on tight,if fans not on check conector and clean on water pipe under pannel in engine bay.you may have air in system,try bleeding ,open taps on water rails.hope this helps
andy.

[fatjon]

I know from connecting into the ECU that the temp gauage is not very accurate but it may be worthwhile taking it to somewhere and having it checked out to see if the fans are reliably cutting in and out when it really is too hot. Otherwise you could have a nasty problem next time you get stuck in traffic. I believe the software can be downloaded to do it yourself if your technical in that way. It may be nothing though, a good splash of H2O over the manifolds does give an impressive cloud of steam.

Jon

[optimax sniffer]

Check that it is not something simple like a broken wire near the fans, as mine have chaffed and worn on previous occasions. Could also be a failed fan motor. Take a pair of wires straight from the battery to the fans to check that they run.

[jon h]

C8 CDS said:

Got the Cerbera out for a wash today, had her sitting there ticking over whilst washing her. Just started to dry her off when i noticed alot of steam coming from under the bonnet. - alot more than just a bit of water from the hose.
I turned her off quickly, and noticed the temp gauge read 'a bit' over 100!! Upon opening the bonnet alot more steam evaporated, and i noticed the fans weren't on. Any ideas what it would be??

1st fan is programmed to come on at about 91 degrees and given the inaccuracy of the guage ( capilliary tube from the sensor to the dial runs along the o/s chassis rail adjacent to the exhaust manifold) it is quite possible that the car had not reached the appropriate temp. The ECU does not use the same sensor as the dial to switch the fans on.

Jon

[Keithyboy]

. . . my gauge actually reads 10 degrees high - confirmed via software TADTS I was thinking about re-routing the capillary tubing but to be honest I can't see the point as I know its actually running 10 degrees less than it says and I can hear the fan kick in at just over 100 indicated.

[Far Eastender]

Two of the most important gauges in a Cerb (IMHO), are the water temp and oil pressure guages and they are both quite inaccurate.

I changed mine for a digital one for a combination of more accurate readings and peace of mind. The result is that the oil pressure reading is slightly higher (40 psi @ 90 MPH) and the water temp, slightly lower (70C @ 90 MPH). Hot idle oil 13 psi and water temp up to 95C depending on the amount of time.

[amazon]

If I wash my car then run the engine, steam will pour out as it burns off the water, so could it not be just that?

I take it that you know the fans usually come on at 100 degrees then? I have seen my engine temperature at that with no fans running. (And I do check them periodically, so I know they work). Or maybe I should be worrying too?

Apologies if you are all way past that point, just 'trying' to help! I can't offer anything more technical I'm afraid

[amazon]

C8 CDS said:

Got the Cerbera out for a wash today, had her sitting there ticking over whilst washing her. Just started to dry her off when i noticed alot of steam coming from under the bonnet. - alot more than just a bit of water from the hose.
I turned her off quickly, and noticed the temp gauge read 'a bit' over 100!! Upon opening the bonnet alot more steam evaporated, and i noticed the fans weren't on. Any ideas what it would be??

I have some pictures of your car here! An 'older' friend of mine from Southampton visited a Show last summer and knowing that I have TVR's took lots of pictures for me and your car features!!