Thermostat question

[ermie571]

Ghost....

the sensor thread is 10mm - is that ok for our vans do you reckon? Also looks awfully long...seeing how flat ours our, do you think this will really fit? it has to go into the thermostat housing - yes?

regards

[chuggers72]

Thought I'd update this as I bought myself an IR laser thermometer (=new toy £24.99 on sale from Maplins) to check running temps and narrow down causes for reading high on the water temp gauge.

Coolant hoses run upto about 80-84 degrees and then thermostat starts to open - gauge already on 2/3.

Radiator reaches about 74-78 degrees and fan kicks in - gauge up at 3/4. Rad temp drops to about 52-54 degrees and fan cuts out - gauge shows no drop in temp (why?!)

These temps are all surface temps so a tad lower than actual coolant.

Basically I reckon everythings running tikkety boo and for some reason I've got a gauge issue (maybe a dodgy earth somewhere?!).

Can highly recommend buying one of these laser thermo's though - just occupied myself for 10 mins round the house randomly pointing it at stuff

[what2do]

Re: IR temp sensors. I've been using them for years, very handy for checking wheel bearing operating temperatures and such like. They are a lot easier to use if pointed at an item that has a matt finish or masking tape is used to cover an area before shining the red dot onto it before taking a reading. Hope this helps someone - somewhere!!!!

[dbz864]

hi,Did you check to see if it was upside down

[ghost123uk]

@ Chuggers = That all sounds fine then and it seems you just have a dodgy gauge or possibly a dodgy earth connection.

btw, the reading will be the same after the rad fan kicks in because it is measuring the temp of the engine, not the rad. In fact if it DID change then that WOULD indicate a stat problem !

So, nothing to worry about. If it were I, I would just wait for an opportunity to buy or borrow another T25 gauge to see if that is the culprit (very likely imho).

Now stop worrying and get on with Christmas

Oh, btw, this made me smile =

Can highly recommend buying one of these laser thermo's though - just occupied myself for 10 mins round the house randomly pointing it at stuff

I might even get one myself

[chuggers72]

Thought I'd update this one with a bit of info gained thro the forum.

Put in a lower temp opening stat (80 degree) - gsf part 176BM0120 - following a tip from fellow forumite adam. It dropped the gauge from 3/4 to a few mm above the led.

Its a BMW stat so no doubt this will stir things up a bit but it works a treat!

[dbz864]

adam