Overheating, no temp warning light

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Stefvan
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Overheating, no temp warning light

Post by Stefvan »

Got my new van back from having a recon engine fitted, a 1.9 DJ. On the way back (40 mile journey) I kept an eye on the gauges, all fine until I hit traffic, then the temps started going up and down and the fan kicked in which was alarming as its never kicked in on my other van, a 1.6TD. After I set off from stationary, temps were fine. When I checked in the morning, the top up coolant tank was bone dry, tho the expansion tank was full. The temp gauge never got over the half way mark, but somethings obviously not right, where do I start ? Raise the front and bleed the rad ? What should I look out for, I don't want to knacker a brand new engine !
I also realised then that the flashing temperature warning light does not come on when I first turn the ignition. What is the procedure for troubleshooting this warning light ? I have checked that the wire is well connected at the thermostat, is the coolant sensor involved in this light ? I have a multimeter..

tia

Stefvan
1990 California Pop Top GTI

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Ian Hulley
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Re: Overheating, no temp warning light

Post by Ian Hulley »

Stefvan wrote:Got my new van back from having a recon engine fitted, a 1.9 DJ. On the way back (40 mile journey) I kept an eye on the gauges, all fine until I hit traffic, then the temps started going up and down and the fan kicked in which was alarming as its never kicked in on my other van, a 1.6TD. After I set off from stationary, temps were fine. When I checked in the morning, the top up coolant tank was bone dry, tho the expansion tank was full. The temp gauge never got over the half way mark, but somethings obviously not right, where do I start ? Raise the front and bleed the rad ? What should I look out for, I don't want to knacker a brand new engine !
I also realised then that the flashing temperature warning light does not come on when I first turn the ignition. What is the procedure for troubleshooting this warning light ? I have checked that the wire is well connected at the thermostat, is the coolant sensor involved in this light ? I have a multimeter..

tia

Stefvan

The flashing light is a low level light

The temp. guage is worked from the sensor at the front of the thermostat tower ( as in away from you when viewed from the back of the van )

A 1.9 is a DG or DF , a DJ is a 2.1.

the rad fan sensor is on the rad itself.

You have a leak somewhere.

Ian.
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure

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ambivert
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Post by ambivert »

hey, at least your fan kicks in, my rad never seems to get warm enough to switch it, although the gauge is at max!

Don't really know enough about it all yet, but I would say that you definitely need to find out why the self-test red light doesn't come on first... Who knows what you will discover once the light is working...

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Ian Hulley
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Post by Ian Hulley »

Ever thought you may have thermostat issues there friend ???

Ian.
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1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure

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ermie571
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Post by ermie571 »

have you really gone from 1.6td (diesel) to a 1.9 petrol engine?

if you had it fitted by a professional, I think I would be taking it back!

Emma
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
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toomanytoys
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Post by toomanytoys »

Yes before buggering about with it yourself.. I would contacting the engine co/installer and telling them that the top up tank is empty but you didnt see any temperature issues..

It doesnt have to show a high temp or flashing red light for anything to be wrong.. thats part of the problem with the design of the system.. it will keep going until the last second...

it could be that the system still had air trapped, or pehaps there is a leak somewhere.. did they fit a new pump and thermostat??

Stefvan
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Post by Stefvan »

toomanytoys wrote:it could be that the system still had air trapped, or pehaps there is a leak somewhere.. did they fit a new pump and thermostat??
No, originals replaced. The are not around till tomorrow, i will speak to them then.. but its a 40 mile journey accross London to get it back there.. and I don't want to fubar the engine..

Stefvan
1990 California Pop Top GTI

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jamesc76
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Post by jamesc76 »

Stefvan wrote: The are not around till tomorrow, i will speak to them then.. but its a 40 mile journey accross London to get it back there.. and I don't want to fubar the engine..

Stefvan

If that was me i would phone them and explain what happened and then tell them that you want them to come out to you as you feel it unsafe to drive , after all they fitted it and you payed they owe you that much as it sounds like they have done something wrong could be a vewry easy fix but there the ones who need to sort it out !!
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Stefvan
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Post by Stefvan »

I agree, lets see if this company live up to their reputation...

Stefvan
1990 California Pop Top GTI

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