Thermostat problems...advice please

[CheesyUK]

I was out on a run yesterday and noticed that the engine temp seemed to be far too stable and also low. It was reading 67 on motorway and 70 at other times. Going faster, slower, being stationary didn't seem to make a difference...

I then read this on [url]www.elises.co.uk[/url]

www.elises.co.uk said:

Thermotstat Failure If you Elise is running about 20°C below the normal operating temperature then stop! The thermostat is likely to have failed. The Elise has two temperature senders, one controls the fan and the engine management unit, the other goes to the display. If you keep driving the temperature reading will eventually return to normal and your head gasket will blow. This has happened to two early Elise owners. Based on previous owners experiences, normal operating temperatures for the Elise S1 are: Normal working temperature is about 87°C. It can go down to 84°C when on the motorway due to the increased airflow over the radiator. It can go up to 90°C when stationary for a short while. When you're in traffic the temperature will slowly climb until the fan is activated. The fan activates at about 100 degrees C. Above this temperature the readout will flash. Once activated, the fan stops when 93°C is reached.

Sounds about what I'm seeing. Has anyone esle had this problem? If it is this problem, how would I go about correcting it. The above quote makes it sound very dramatic - like the car should not be used until corrected... any advice on this would be helpful.

My car is an R reg S1 I should be under waranty from Adrian Blyth although I havn't checked what exactly is included in the waranty - I'm thinking that a sensor may not be.

>>> Edited by CheesyUK on Thursday 5th May 11:56

[rfoster]

My car (98 S1 Super 160) always read between 68 and 73 degrees - has been like this since I bought it from Bell & Colvill 14 months ago. Hasn't caused any problem. However as my car has upgraded head & other bits this may have an effect on the temp. (or my thermostat might be buggered as well)

[paulwakinshaw]

I had the same problem, it turned out to be the blue sensor that measures the coolant temp and gives you the display on the stack unit. The sensor costs about £10ish but is a bit of a pig to fit. Try this first as its cheaper and easier than a thermostat removal/renewal job. If it dosen't cure it then it will almost certainly be a thermostat problem.

Wako

[steff]

If its not the blue sender its the thermostat.

To change the thermostat is a bit fiddly to say the least.

[jonbanff]

i have had the same problem since my a class service in feb. have bought a thermostat for a tenner from the rover dealer and was going to fit it myself. how difficult is it and how long will it take?

[WildWilly]

Chances are it is nothing to worry about. The temperature sensors are not fantastic, and often send a cooler temperature to your display. I had it fixed on my car, but it only read correctly for about 6 months, and then started getting cooler again. The key things to check are that 1) the engine is actually running at the correct temperature, and 2) the fans come on at the correct temperature.
If they are OK (and they probably will be), go drive!