Chim running cool

[LucyB]

Got a (usually) well-behaved Chim 500, late 1997 that's running cool at the moment. Hard to get it to reach 50, then there it stays - up to 70 in traffic. Used to be 70 usually and 90 in traffic. Religious about oil/optimax etc. Don't think I have done anything different over the last 2 weeks. Everything else OK. Heater affects it a little but nothing significant. Read previous threads about blocking some of the front grill off - is this wise ? She's off to see David Batty in a few weeks for a 6K service but wondered if I should try anything in the meantime ?

[GreenV8S]

Got a (usually) well-behaved Chim 500, late 1997 that's running cool at the moment. Hard to get it to reach 50, then there it stays - up to 70 in traffic. Used to be 70 usually and 90 in traffic. Religious about oil/optimax etc. Don't think I have done anything different over the last 2 weeks. Everything else OK. Heater affects it a little but nothing significant. Read previous threads about blocking some of the front grill off - is this wise ? She's off to see David Batty in a few weeks for a 6K service but wondered if I should try anything in the meantime ?

Sounds like a dead stat. Starting up from cold, does your top hose stay dead cold for the first few minutes, until the gauge shows about normal running temperature? If the hose is warm almost straightaway, this shows a duff thermostat. (The top hose is the one coming out of the top of the engine roughly central, forward into the swirl tank.)

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[plipton]

Is it running right? If it's not overheating (which it probably would do with blocked rad/hoses) then you're temp gauge or sender might be at fault.