temperature when driving

[Wilko100100]

I know this has been done and I have read a few older posts but can't really find the answers and I'm all new to this having only had the car 4 days!

The previous owner of the car had something installed in it so that the fans would come on at 70 (mainly due to driving around London a lot. This means in normal running etc my gauge never seems to go above 65/70 even when pushing hard. The car was inspected by Rob Ingleby and I did ask him and he said all was ok with this but having spoken with a fellow owner who lives down my road this evening he suggests otherwise and that the car should run hotter during spirited driving etc as this is a better temp for oil to be at/less engine wear etc.

Anyway, now I'm confused!!!! Could someone help me? should I get it changed back again so that the fans come on at the intended temp? I don't really plan on driving in much traffic, I work form home and use the car mainly in non rush hour lower traffic times and country road driving etc.

Thanks

Wilko

[parrot of doom]

I'd be staggered if a pair of fans could keep that engine below 85 degrees.

Its more likely that your temperature gauge is wrong.

[GreenV8S]

65-70 is too cool, but you don't know how accurate that gauge is.

[V8 Archie]

The main thing to be aware of is that you temp gauge tells you (it's idea of) water temperature, not oil (as far as I'm aware).

That being the case the dial can only be a worry if it gets hot. If it's showing some stupidly low value you need a new sender or gauge.

It sounds like all is well for you though.

[zippee]

I'd get the temp guage sender changed over (only cheap) its situated at the front somewhere underneath the dizzy. Mine was doing the same and it turned out that the sender and a new thermostat were needed, my old stat wasn't even opening up the flow to the header tank.
PS I'd take anything that was mentioned in your inspection report with a pinch of salt!!!

>> Edited by zippee on Tuesday 2nd August 08:57

[ian187]

As I was told:

The optimum temperature for performance is about 72 degrees - however this does cause more wear to the engine and as far as oil lubricating the engine goes, it wants to be around 80+

My car used to go up to 90 and stay there pretty well all the time, I found out that the gauge was wrong (as most are apparently) and what I saw as 90 was actually 96. I fitted a cooler thermostat and otter swtch (which controls the fans) and now my temp shows about 80+ on the gauge, which I'm happier with

My old otter switch, switched on at 90 I think, which is the standard, if you want my old switch send me a PM - I don't need it as I'm using a cooler one now! Its very easy to change.

[wilko100100]

Thanks for the replies guys, I might take it to a local Independant today which is almost on my way home. I had a 15 mile run this morning and it never went above 60, infact took at least 7 miles to even get up to 60. is there an easy way for someone to tell what the actual temperature is? i.e if i go to the garage would they have something that could tell the true temp? Just in case it is my gauge that's the problem.

Many thanks

[schueymcfee]

You might have a lower opening thermostat, so the car never gets a chance to get hot as the stat opens at 72 degrees and not the standard 82.

You'll find as winter comes you struggle to hit 60.

[M@H]

If you get yourself a new otter switch (about a tenner and I reckon all the dealer networks stock them) with a known temperature (i.e. 82 degrees), bung it in the car (10 minute job), then start it and leave it running, you'll be able to deduce the actual water temperature by noting the point at which the fans come on, against what the gauge says at the time.

schueymcfee said:

You might have a lower opening thermostat, so the car never gets a chance to get hot as the stat opens at 72 degrees and not the standard 82. You'll find as winter comes you struggle to hit 60.

Kinda ..but as the stat only really changes the warm up cycle time, not the overall running temperature of the engine* its not really a big part of the equation at this tme of year. In winter at 60 even a lower temperature stat will not be open so is not part of the equation at that temperature.

Cheers,
Matt.

*other than of course a Higher temperature stat (eg 95) that would play havoc with engine temperature during driving, as the engine will be producing heat under load quicker than the cooling system could disperse it if only starting dispersal at 95 degrees.

>> Edited by M@H on Tuesday 2nd August 12:17

[Nuggs]

Under normal driving conditions, mine gets to 70 and stays there, regardless of the outside temp (it will do this in the snow as well as on a sweltering day).

If I'm really pressing on, then the temp tends to hold at 75-80.

In a traffic jam, the gague tends to creep up to 90 but never goes beyond since having the Leven cooling kit fitted.

[ATG]

wilko100100 said:

...is there an easy way for someone to tell what the actual temperature is?

Yes. You can get stick-on thermometer strips (looks like a bit of laminated paper and contains a liquid crystal), or you can get an infra-red thermometer which you point at the engine.

[Wilko100100]

Right,

Went into Thames Valley Racing today, they had a good look at the engine and heat tested it. Said it seemed all ok but reckoned the sensor needs changing. It did seem to be running hotter than the gauge suggested.

Great guys there, could not have been nicer and more helpful, even gave me some good tips about maintenance etc with me being a new owner and all. Couldn't resist it and went ahead and booked in for a sports exhaust conversion. I wasn't too sure about doing it, until he fired up another Chim that had one done. took me all of 5 seconds to say "yes please sir, I would like one of those done"!!