Engine temp in this weather
Discussion
Had a new fan switch fitted 6 weeks back and fans cut in fine at around 92 degrees. However, not unusual to see temp edging 100 degrees when not moving.
I appreciate that the gauge may not be 100% accurate and the current weather could be described as extreme, but what temps are others seeing?
Should I be concerned?
I appreciate that the gauge may not be 100% accurate and the current weather could be described as extreme, but what temps are others seeing?
Should I be concerned?
My Chimaera last Saturday was showing just over 100 in traffic but dropped to 80 on M27, I remembered that I had a stick on front number plate lying around so on Sunday I stuck it on the bonnet and removed the plate from the grille. Took a drive up to Surrey and even in the traffic on the A3 it never got over 90, so the plan is to leave it off for the summer and perhaps put it back on for winter when my temp never usually gets up near 80.
Mine edges up towards 100 on the gauge sometimes in slow traffic on a hot day, but mine also has an a/c condenser in front of the rad, so airflow is further compromised.
I think it's just a case of getting used to what yours does and watching out for anything that's abnormal for your particular car.
I think it's just a case of getting used to what yours does and watching out for anything that's abnormal for your particular car.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Thursday 18th July 16:35
Trevor450 said:
I had a new TVR gauge installed just a couple of weeks ago and mine seems to run at about 90 normally. In traffic it goes as high as 95 but the fans manage to keep it under control.
I think this is about the average, although im sure every car is slightly different.For extra piece of mind a simple solution is to fit a fan overide switch.
As soon as i hit standstill traffic,or a slow crawl along, i just turn on the overide fan switch.
I dont wait for the temp to hit 92 and the fans to come on automatically.
Do it this way, and in most cases keeps the engine temp will hover around or under 90.
If you forget to use the overide, then its no problem,as your fans will come on automatically anyway, and when they then turn off, if your still in traffic, turn on the overide, and keep the fans spinning till your on the move again.
As an added last resort measure before pulling over and stopping, you can also turn the heater and blower on full blast!
Not very comfortable, especially in this weather, but it does help in dropping the temp when stuck at a standstill.I must stress that fitting an overide switch, is just an added precaution, it is not a solution to over heating problems.
My chimaera was fine,most of the time, temp was normal, but would over a few weeks lose coolant. This leak was near impossible to see and after checking all the usual, leaks around hose joints, replace the thermostat, check for leaks around the heater box, make sure there was no air locks etc, etc i decided to remove the rad and have it pressure tested.
There were some very tiny pin holes in the rad,and the water leaked more as the pressure increased.
I had a radiator recon, and no problems at all now.
TJC46 said:
For extra piece of mind a simple solution is to fit a fan overide switch.
As soon as i hit standstill traffic,or a slow crawl along, i just turn on the overide fan switch.
I dont wait for the temp to hit 92 and the fans to come on automatically.
+1. I do the same. I'm also in the habit of checking my coolant and oil weekly or before every lengthy run.As soon as i hit standstill traffic,or a slow crawl along, i just turn on the overide fan switch.
I dont wait for the temp to hit 92 and the fans to come on automatically.
I will add, that it is also worth checking that both fans are working. I discovered that only one of mine was working properly. This was resolved by cleaning and sealing both fan connectors.
Bigger the engine, faster the temp rises.
I would urge everyone, just once in a while, to pop the bonnet when they see the temp gauge over 90 degrees and make sure that both fans are running. They wiring connectors underneath the fans are prone to getting corroded or dirty and stopping the fans from working. They will stop one at a time. If both are not working, check the connectors first then check the otter switch. I had both one fan not working and a broken otter switch a few weeks ago.
I would urge everyone, just once in a while, to pop the bonnet when they see the temp gauge over 90 degrees and make sure that both fans are running. They wiring connectors underneath the fans are prone to getting corroded or dirty and stopping the fans from working. They will stop one at a time. If both are not working, check the connectors first then check the otter switch. I had both one fan not working and a broken otter switch a few weeks ago.
Had the same concern as OP when driving in traffic last week when outside temp was 33 degrees. My 400 was running at about 87 on motorway and then in heavy traffic at about 95 with the fans on. My 'normal' running temp is about 82.
Popped in to my very local TVR specialist and spoke to the mechanic Graeme - I asked him what temp I should expect to see in traffic in the said hot conditions - his immediate answer was just below 100 would be perfectly normal and acceptable.
Popped in to my very local TVR specialist and spoke to the mechanic Graeme - I asked him what temp I should expect to see in traffic in the said hot conditions - his immediate answer was just below 100 would be perfectly normal and acceptable.
Check the operation of the fans and the coolant level every so often and (in theory) everything will be fine.
Wouldn't be too worried even if the temps went over 100, most systems are pressurized and will go up to 115-120 without boiling over. Obviously, if it suddenly runs hotter than what you usually see, then there is a problem.
When the coolant pump broke on my Volkswagen (Plastic components
) It went to 130 degrees before boiling over and dumping the coolant all over the road. Replaced the pump and refilled the coolant. No damage done. 
Wouldn't be too worried even if the temps went over 100, most systems are pressurized and will go up to 115-120 without boiling over. Obviously, if it suddenly runs hotter than what you usually see, then there is a problem.
When the coolant pump broke on my Volkswagen (Plastic components
) It went to 130 degrees before boiling over and dumping the coolant all over the road. Replaced the pump and refilled the coolant. No damage done. Edited by METHS on Thursday 25th July 15:35
Chimaeraman said:
Had the same concern as OP when driving in traffic last week when outside temp was 33 degrees. My 400 was running at about 87 on motorway and then in heavy traffic at about 95 with the fans on. My 'normal' running temp is about 82.
Popped in to my very local TVR specialist and spoke to the mechanic Graeme - I asked him what temp I should expect to see in traffic in the said hot conditions - his immediate answer was just below 100 would be perfectly normal and acceptable.
My 400 chimaera was running at 100 last week in traffic on the A303. Once I got clear of the jam it went back down to 70. My TVR service provider told me that at 100 degrees I should have stopped to let it cool down as engine damage could be the result of running at that sort of temperature. I have an override switch fitted, both fans were running and in the correct direction. I had all that checked out before I took the car to Le Mans.Popped in to my very local TVR specialist and spoke to the mechanic Graeme - I asked him what temp I should expect to see in traffic in the said hot conditions - his immediate answer was just below 100 would be perfectly normal and acceptable.
Chunky Dave said:
My 400 chimaera was running at 100 last week in traffic on the A303. Once I got clear of the jam it went back down to 70. My TVR service provider told me that at 100 degrees I should have stopped to let it cool down as engine damage could be the result of running at that sort of temperature. I have an override switch fitted, both fans were running and in the correct direction. I had all that checked out before I took the car to Le Mans.
Have you checked the hose to the expansion tank? Mine ran warmer than normal and I found that I had crimped the expansion tank hose (as spotted by Sardonicus). Since that point, it remains cooler for longer and the fans come off less. Sometimes that hose gets full off gunge that collects at the bottom of the expansion tank if the coolant system hasn't been flushed for a while. It is also definitely worth checking that both fans are coming on!As for readings on the TVR gauge, I wouldn't trust them. I've used Blitz's Rover gauge and it shows a completely different reading to my gauge (fans on about 95 and off about 92ish from what I recall). If you look at your gauge in your daily driver it will normally sit around 90 degs for 'normal'. At the end of the day, all of these cars are different and have their own little quirks. As to whether running hot will do any damage, a lot of that could depend entirely on maintenance, coolant, gasket quality and engine condition etc.
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