Discussion
I had the same problem recently, car ok while driving approx 80 to 90, but when in traffic quickly raising towards 100, purchased the Leven cool running kit which contains lower temp thermostat and otter switch, for about £24.00, and now seems to run with a 90 degree ceiling, even when left to idle for 20 mins, fans cutting in and out and maintaining a steady temp. Also noticed the oil pressure doesnt drop off quite as much, not going below 15psi on idle, where as before it struggled to reach 15psi
The other option I considered is the Modwise kit which gives you total control of when the fans cut in at both half and full speeds, which is a road I may go down in the future if the need arrises.
The other option I considered is the Modwise kit which gives you total control of when the fans cut in at both half and full speeds, which is a road I may go down in the future if the need arrises.
Probably being v stupid here.. So as a relative newbie, please don't shout at me...
My Chim 500 has, as far as I know, a perfectly standard cooling system. Never does it get above 90, even when sitting on the A14 in the rush hour in 30 degress outside temp. Fans kick in as they should. OK, you can see and feel the heat rising, but temp gauge stays glued in one spot.
Surely, if the cooling system is working as it should, there is no need for extra cooling appliances. So maybe problems lurks elsewhere and fitting extra expensive goodies is just masking the real culprit.
How do the Chim owners get on overseas? We aren't exactly the hottest country on the planet....
Sorry, not helping with your problem, but interested to know why.
My Chim 500 has, as far as I know, a perfectly standard cooling system. Never does it get above 90, even when sitting on the A14 in the rush hour in 30 degress outside temp. Fans kick in as they should. OK, you can see and feel the heat rising, but temp gauge stays glued in one spot.
Surely, if the cooling system is working as it should, there is no need for extra cooling appliances. So maybe problems lurks elsewhere and fitting extra expensive goodies is just masking the real culprit.
How do the Chim owners get on overseas? We aren't exactly the hottest country on the planet....
Sorry, not helping with your problem, but interested to know why.
No RedChim, you are not being stupid. That's how it is supposed to work!
The temperature will rise in traffic, but the fans should kick in and hold it at a set temperature. Get moving again, air flows through rad and temp comes down. Fans cut off on the way. Hence the 2 temperature numbers on the otter switch. Kicks in one temp, switches off at the other. People talk a lot about overheating - if you've got problems, it tells of an underlying fault. Simple
The only slight issues are 1. that the temp gauge itself varies from car to car, so everyone gets diofferent readings. The operation remains the same though and, since the gauge and the fan swich are separate, your actual temperature wil be the same as another car. 2. There's not a lot of grill area at the front, so the car gets hot quickly as you slow down and takes a long time to cool again. Some people get round this by moving the plate down or getting a smaller one. I drilled holes in my number plate letters (sorry, no pics at the moment). One guy, called Parrot of Doom, used to pop his bonnet in traffic to get a bit of extra air flow.
As above, though, if someone has 'issues' they require fixing rather than words and excuses.
It's the same as Chimaera reliability - some people say they're bad. Look after them and use them regularly and you may not even ever have a problem. I haven't in 18 months. Cue instant problem!
The temperature will rise in traffic, but the fans should kick in and hold it at a set temperature. Get moving again, air flows through rad and temp comes down. Fans cut off on the way. Hence the 2 temperature numbers on the otter switch. Kicks in one temp, switches off at the other. People talk a lot about overheating - if you've got problems, it tells of an underlying fault. Simple
The only slight issues are 1. that the temp gauge itself varies from car to car, so everyone gets diofferent readings. The operation remains the same though and, since the gauge and the fan swich are separate, your actual temperature wil be the same as another car. 2. There's not a lot of grill area at the front, so the car gets hot quickly as you slow down and takes a long time to cool again. Some people get round this by moving the plate down or getting a smaller one. I drilled holes in my number plate letters (sorry, no pics at the moment). One guy, called Parrot of Doom, used to pop his bonnet in traffic to get a bit of extra air flow.
As above, though, if someone has 'issues' they require fixing rather than words and excuses.
It's the same as Chimaera reliability - some people say they're bad. Look after them and use them regularly and you may not even ever have a problem. I haven't in 18 months. Cue instant problem!
THERE NO REASON WHEN CRUISING THAT THE GAUGE SHOULD RISE MUCH ABOVE 80 DEGREES SEEING THATS WHEN THE STAT OPENS,BUT IN TRAFFIC YOU WILL SEE IT RISE TO AROUND 90 DEGREES THATS APX WHEN THE FAN SWITCH CUTS IN,BUT AS THE OTHER MEMBERS HAVE SAID THE GAUGE IS ONLY A GUIDE AND SHOULDENT BE TAKEN AS GOSPEL,I ALSO MADE THE MISTAKE OF CHANGING THE STAT IN THE COOLER MONTHS BEFORE I REALISED THE TEMP GAUGE SENDER IS IN THE WRONG POSITION ON THE COOLING CIRCUIT I CURRENLY HAVE AN 82 DEGREE VERNET,(QUALITY)STAT EXTRA LARGE OPENING FROM RENAULT 16V PERFORMANCE MODEL(SAME DIMENSIONS)50/50 distilled water & vauxhall 5 year antifreeze.AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS,ALLTHOUGH I WILL SAY WHEN YOU HAVE A GREAT BIG CATALYST IN FRONT OF THE AIRSTREAM WITH AN ALL ALLOY ENGINE THINGS ARE GOING TO WARM UP RAPIDLY IN TRAFFIC,I THINK THATS REAL SAD,BUT CANT SEE WHERE ELSE IT COULD HAVE GONE.
I put an override switch on and when i come to a town or traffic i switch it on and the temp stays well below 90. If you do it I would also recommend to put a small bulb in as well.I I put mine just in front of the window switch and you hardly see it but it reminds you that it is on as i used to forget to switch it off. You can put the switch beside the dash light switch. A very cheap fix and works well
Can also suggest the Mod-wise 2 speed fan kit.
My recently bought Chimeara hasn't boiled or got dangerously hot, but after reading the forums, and 'The bible' I contacted Mod-Wise.
David, the proprieter was really helpful and talked me through it, took delivery of the kit today complete with full instructions, and I have to say I'm really impressed.
For detailed info on how to fit the 2 speed fan kit (and also the hot-start kit that I ordered) visit www.chimearapages.com.
Hope this helps.
My recently bought Chimeara hasn't boiled or got dangerously hot, but after reading the forums, and 'The bible' I contacted Mod-Wise.
David, the proprieter was really helpful and talked me through it, took delivery of the kit today complete with full instructions, and I have to say I'm really impressed.
For detailed info on how to fit the 2 speed fan kit (and also the hot-start kit that I ordered) visit www.chimearapages.com.
Hope this helps.
RTZ62 said:
I contacted Mod-Wise.
David, the proprieter was really helpful
I'm sure anyone on here who has bought David's products would concur
My Chimaera suffered near static traffic last night for two hours due to that North London conflagration. In that time, I hardly moved up from 1st gear and this was on one of the hottest nights of the year!
Yes, I realised the guage would hover around 100 degrees (and over) after a while but, in my mind, that doesn't mean major problem time. It eventually was nearing 110% but, because I know I've sorted the system to it's optimum, everything was 'cool'.
Keep the system in order and worry not..
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