Otter switch (Dumb question)

[poorpeet]

How do you know what temp the switch setting is? Is there something stamped on it, or a colour code?

[tweety]

Should be stamped on one of the flats, just got one reads 95/88.

Al.

[poorpeet]

Cheers Tweety.
Found it. Mine reads 96/91. Does this mean I'd be better off replacing it before the summer? If so what temp stamp should I be going for?

[tweety]

I don't know what the correct/standard one is, just bought mine today from a main dealer who said it was as supplied by TVR.

Al.

[jonnyb]

Got mine from a TVR main dealer and it says 95/88 also got a thermostat and it says 74 which is lower than the 82 that I took out. Im not sure TVR realy have a definate figure its just what ever they have in at the time!

[poorpeet]

As i understand it then. My switch will turn the fans on 1 degree later than the newer spec & the new one will then stay on a bit longer? Will 1 degree realy make a difference? or are there different rated switches depending on whether it fits into the swirl pot or the rad?

[shnozz]

i am due to be changing mine this weekend - is it easily accessible? (mine is pre-2000 so its under the swirl tank)

as i understand it from the bible, its a case of taking off the pressure cap, sticking a tray under the car to catch the escaping coolant, unscrewing and screwing up asap and then replace lost coolant. Is that right? easy to do without raising the car etc?

same goes with fitting a new thermostat. Is that straight forward enough? I cant say I have done either of these jobs before.

[jonnyb]

Thats about the size of it!! One degree will not make that much differance.

Your otter switch will control the engine temp to a finer degree, between 96 and 92 degrees. You will probably find the fans switching on and off alot more frequently.

As for the position of the switch Im not sure, mines in the swirl pot if yours is in the rad close to the inlet then it will make no differance, theres not going to be that much cooling from the swirl pot to the rad. If its somewhere else then speak to TVR.

[spend]

jonnyb said:

As for the position of the switch Im not sure, mines in the swirl pot if yours is in the rad close to the inlet then it will make no differance, theres not going to be that much cooling from the swirl pot to the rad.

Only the minor effect of catalytic converter!

IMHO otter switch ratings are higher than required water temp due to this very fact.

[jonnyb]

The otter switch should be shielded from the exhaust by a silver coloured plate with TVR embossed on it.

It is on mine anyway!

[poorpeet]

I'm going to get one of the two stage switches & wire the fans so that one fan cuts in at 88 degrees & both at 95. This should have the same effect as the two speed kit. BTW No heat shield on mine. Was it standard from some point or an aftermarket fitment?

[shnozz]

shnozz said:

i am due to be changing mine this weekend - is it easily accessible? (mine is pre-2000 so its under the swirl tank) as i understand it from the bible, its a case of taking off the pressure cap, sticking a tray under the car to catch the escaping coolant, unscrewing and screwing up asap and then replace lost coolant. Is that right? easy to do without raising the car etc? same goes with fitting a new thermostat. Is that straight forward enough? I cant say I have done either of these jobs before.

anyone?

[spend]

Schnoz...

I always syphon out when changing stat / otter switch - it only takes 5 mins and is much cleaner. I keep 8 foot pipe and a 8 gallon container for the purpose. Simply drop the pipe down the swirl tank and suck - this will drain sufficient for work on stat & otter switch. I always put through a paper filter when replacing the coolant. I invested in synthetic long life a/freeze & exhorbitant w/wetter so being a tight git I wont throw it away. Even if you dont want to reuse coolant this method is far cleaner and doesnt disturb any hose connections etc. If you wish to drain the complete system simply add step 2: which is remove radiator bleed screw, push pipe to bottom of rad start syphoning (wise to raise car or have a low level container to get last drops out). Just have a cup of tea while coolant drains it takes some time. No mess, no damage, dont know why peeps fight to release hoses & piss flourescent gunge all over the place (try catching fluid when you release a hose unless your drip tray is an Olympic swimming pool).

HTH, Dave

[RobM]

shnozz said:

i am due to be changing mine this weekend - is it easily accessible? (mine is pre-2000 so its under the swirl tank)

I changed mine in about 10 seconds ! just have the new otta in one hand, unscrew the old one slowly and when it comes out, bung the new one in. You lose only a small cupfull of water.