Engine temperature step change

[jamiem]

I have recently noticed that the temperature on my gauge has decreased by approximately 10 degrees, in pretty much all circumstances. It now sits 60-70 when driving normally and when I'm idle, the temp creeps up to 80ish. The cooling fans seem to cut in at the same temperature as they have always done (may rule out gauge being incorrect), so my question really is, why the change?

Cheers,

Jamie.

[shpub]

Either...

1. Slipped into a parallel universe where the laws of physics are not as we know it...

2. You have lost cooolent and the low level means that the sensor does not fully immersed and is giving a low reading.

3. The sensor is duff.

4. The guage is duff.

I would suggest checking 2 PDQ...

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[westys]

If comparing to temps in middle of summer could be that the ambient temperature s considerably lower and thus lower readings. Mine is reading about 10-15 degs lower, however I have also lowered the number plate.

[atg]

when you say the fans cut in at the same temp they have always done, do you mean the cut in when the guage reads a bit over 90?

[chim_knee]

A couple of weeks, or so, ago I noticed that my temp was reading lower than normal and in fact, the gauge was flipping about all over the place at times.

Last week it went in to David Batty for the 36k service and whilst he was checking it over he told me that I had a radiator leak and it was "precipitating" coolant. So that would concur with Steve's No 2 diagnosis. Solution is to either repair or replace the radiator (or Radweld I guess, depending on available funds).

Cheers,
Phil.

[jamiem]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I was fairly sure that it wasn't coolant loss as the expansion tank was the first thing I checked. Thinking about it though, I should probably check the radiator and swirl tank to be sure as there could be an airlock in the system somewhere.

For info, my fans cut in at just over the 70 degrees mark which seems low to be honest. I may just have to ignore the gauge!

Jamie.

[atg]

Fans on at 70 implies 70=a real 90, so no chance engine is actually running cold. Checking the swirl pot is a good idea. Assuming it is full, chances are it is just the sender that is fubar.