Engine temperature sensor broken

[bestonestaken]

Hi. Complete newbie here. 1.9 wc engine seems to work fine. Temperature gauge goes to just before halfway and stays there. Temp warning light flickers for a second or so when cold started. But what my mate says is the "engine temp sensor" located in the flange on the water system in the engine is broken off! Should I worry?

[itchyfeet]

89 has the later cooling system with the temperature sender in the plastic thermostat housing rear left as you look at the engine

There are two sensors/ switches the other being the carb heater circuit thermal switch

Get a pic up of what's broken use photobucket

If the guage is working its probably something else

[MidLifeCrisis]

Your temperature gauge sounds like it's working fine.
The needle on most vans usually sits at about half way once the engine is warmed up.
The LED should flash for a few seconds when you first turn the key in the ignition (this is a 'test' function to show you that the LED is working).
The LED should then go out and will then flash if either the coolant temperature gets too hot (which would be accompanied by a rise in the needle position) or the coolant level is too low (indicating a leak).
What makes you think that you have a problem?

[kevtherev]

Temperature gauge goes to just before halfway and stays there. Temp warning light flickers for a second or so when cold started.

perfect...

[bestonestaken]

I am holding the plug, one end of the sensor is still in the pipe, the other bit has snapped off - no leaks though.

[kevtherev]

That's the temp 2 switch
It controls the inlet manifold heating on a DG engine
#
As the engine warms to 87 degrees this switch turns the heaters off.

[kevtherev]

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/t ... df-dg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

it's a switch not a sensor

PS.. buy a new clip and a new O ring if it doesn't come with them

[bestonestaken]

Thanks for all your advice. I am just holding the plug, I have removed the bit of the probe that was attached to the switch and left the other end still in the pipe.

[bestonestaken]

What problems could I have if I do not fix this soon?

[kevtherev]

None.

[bestonestaken]

Although she always starts first time - I have to keep revs up for a minute or so on a cold start, otherwise she dies on me. Could this sensor improve this?

[lloydy]

You you using the auto choke?
Key on
Press acc pedal to floor, release, then start engine.
* think that's the right process? been a while since I had a petrol van

[bestonestaken]

That's what I do, and it gets me started everytime. Problem is it will die unless I keep revving quite hard for a minute or so.

[bestonestaken]

Was just wondering the purpose of the broken sensor. Does it somehow preheat fuel/air when cold to allow engine time to heat up?

[kevtherev]

The manifold heater heats the inlet manifold at the point where the carb is attached.
Inside the manifold is an alloy porcupine.
This heat will evaporate the fuel, stop icing and aid cold starting.

replace the switch if you want, it can wait


it's not a sensor it's a thermoswitch
I have converted mine to a manual switch...as it's not needed in warmer weather