Where should my needle be! SORTED.

[sharpmz]

Hi All,

I know there has been lots of posts about this before, and i've read the wiki and serched but still unsure if temp is ok.

I've not had the van long and have only just got it through the MOT and so now have done my second trip!! Have kept both runs short in case of any probs! Today had to take the van to work, about 15 -20 miles not often going above 45MPH. I've been keeping a close eye on the temp gauge as the coolant is the old green type and not sure if there are any leaks etc. Will be flushing the system and re filling this weekend for piece of mind as per wiki.

To start with the light took 5 mins to go out which i was slightly worried about almost turned back! But go out it did so carried on. Most of the journey the needle was at halfway bang on over the light but for the last 4-5 miles it crept up a bit more to just past the light and stayed there, about a needle width over.

I've gotta drive home in a bit and as the tank is slightly low was going to top up with water.

The thing is, i'm not sure how far up to let the needle go before i pull over!!! Any advice would be great??!?

[1664]

Well firstly your light should go out once the engines running. Why it stays on for 5 minutes before finally going out I have no idea - could actually be an electrical problem rather than water related.

Depending on driving conditions (such as how fast I'm going) my needle varies between just before the light in the middle of the guage if I'm motorwaying it. If I'm tootling round town or in traffic it'll go just a needle width past the light at which point the fan will cut in and it will slowly fall again. I'd still keep an eye on your water level though.

Hope that helps...............

[jamesc76]

The main thing is keep a good eye on it and if the light starts flashing pull over!!!!!

[sharpmz]

Well i made it home with no worries..... well kinda no worries!

The needle stayed just above the light and steady which was great! Having a bit more confidence in the system after knowing someone elses is the same (thanks 1664) is brilliant.
I tried to turn on the heater to see if that made the difference it should.. and it did! For a second or two then the fuse blew and obviusly stopped the heater and wipers!! Not the best night for that to happen. Turns out had stuck a 5 amp instead of 16 so quick swap and all sorted.

The water level had risen when i checked it before leaving but could be as was on a slope?? If it is electrical, i'll definately stop if the light was to come on but if it's faulty, how far up can i let the needle go before pulling over?

Thanks for help folks.

Matt.

[CovKid]

That reminds me, I must put wipers and blower on seperate fuses. I imagine yours is the earlier fuse box like mine. I believe on the later models they seperated them and no wonder. I once had that fuse blow due to a dodgy blower motor which took out my wipers in torrential rain on the M1....

[sharpmz]

Blimy! Bet that made you sit up and concentrate!!

Mind you back roads of cornwall bit tricky, at least i had the wing mirror rustling the hedges to guide me!!

Yep earlier fuse box and already planning to seperate them off. Still can't figure out why the light stays on so long?

[happy camper]

i was of the understanding that the flashing light is a coolant level warning, make sure the header tank is filled to the brim when the engine is stone cold and see how she goes with that buddy

[axeman]

cheak the blue cap on the expanshion tank, take it of when the engine is cold, very important that the engine is cold or you may get burnt. where the rubber hose goes off the cap to the header tank, put you lips on it and try and blow and suck through it, it is a one way valve so you should only pass one way cant wember which way. i had a simular problem and replaced the cap from baxter (genuine VW) and all fixed.

hope it hepls neil

[sharpmz]

Hmmm, level was a few inches from the brim? could be a case of topping right up, trouble is then if that is the case, there is probably a leak some where!!!!!!! Ooo eck!

[sharpmz]

Thanks Neil, had read about that on the wiki etc and all is ok have given the sensor a clean too, if there is a leak its a bloody slow one, might be tricky to find...

[sharpmz]

Spent sunday in the rain fully flushing and replacing coolant and all seems to be OK so far!!

seems like there was a little air in the system and the tank definitly needed topping up. But, as it was the old green coolant in there i thought it'd be a good time to flush the whole thing through so i know what's in there and how much!! (and got to make sure the fan was in order!)

Now that's all done the needle and light are behaving themselves!

Thanks for advice and help folks!

[kevtherev]

in the summer the needle will rise again.
the time to worry is when it gets to the red, or rises and doesn't stop.

for future reference
your rad fan will go to it's first speed at around 90 deg and it's second speed at 103 deg
there are thermo fan switches available that will turn the fan on earlier,
in addition you can get thermostats that open earlier too.(all GSF).

all this is to keep the oil cooler and therefore gives the engine a better oil pressure at lower rpm, resulting in less wear and quieter tappets... particularly in the DJ 2.1

[sharpmz]

Thanks Kev, will keep wit the current thermostat for now but may look into it in the summer.

[happy camper]

Thanks Kev, will keep wit the current thermostat for now but may look into it in the summer.

Got my fan on a switch in the cab so that i can have full control of when it comes on

[sharpmz]

Had read about a few people doing that, not sure if it's the way i wanna go, would probably end up forgetting to turn it on !!

The van is still new to to me and there are a couple of switches that i've not played with that have been fitted so could have been done already?