Club 80-90 Forums

Going to be doing the Hardknott Pass next week so want confidence in my cooling system (as well as brakes, obviously).

Did a coolant change a couple of weeks ago and replaced the thermostat whilst I did it - the old one was a second hand one that Elite put in at the time of the recon. Now with the old one, the temp needle used to go up and down like a fiddler's elbow depending on time of year etc - sat around 1/3 whilst cruising (a fraction less or more depending on ambient temp) and would gradually creep up to the the halfway point when in traffic. A little over this and the fan would kick in. So it never overheated but the overall running temp was patchy - leading me to think itbwas knackered.

With the new one, the needle goes to the halfway mark pretty much straight away - within a few mintues - and sits there if cruising but fans kicks in pretty readily as soon as it heats up a bit more if in taffic or doing slow urban driving.

I know that between the thermostat and the fan, they are supposed to keep the engine at a fairly constant temperature (open/closed, fan off/on etc) but is this right, or are both stats crap? Just looking for reassurance before I blow my engine up miles from anywhere with a load of sheep laughing at me.

I can only tell you how mine behaves, within 10 mins from cold 1155, 12 being the light, and stays there, heavy traffic 5hrs to Bristol from newquay 2 mins past fan kicks in temp drops did this for all the journey taking 11.5 hours to hull. ho yeah and it did the same on the 9.5 hrs on the way down.

mark

Virtually the same with mine, goes up to ten to after 15 mins and always stays there on a normal traffic jam free journey. When i do get stuck in traffic as i did today- 40 min stop/start in hot weather to travel 100 yards- the fan cuts in just as the needle passes the light at about 12.05. This is the only time i have needed the fan has come on in 12 months. I have thought about fitting a chicken switch so i can turn the fan on a little earlier because i had a few problems with overheating when i first bought the van and it's left me a bit paranoid.
David

jamesandtheopenroad wrote:Going to be doing the Hardknott Pass next week so want confidence
With the new one, the needle goes to the halfway mark pretty much straight away - within a few mintues - and sits there if cruising but fans kicks in pretty readily as soon as it heats up a bit more if in taffic or doing slow urban driving.

I know that between the thermostat and the fan, they are supposed to keep the engine at a fairly constant temperature (open/closed, fan off/on etc) but is this right, or are both stats crap? Just looking for reassurance before I blow my engine up miles from anywhere with a load of sheep laughing at me.

That reads perfect.

The stat or the sheep?

Thanks Kev. Just checked the old stat which opens and closes pretty well, so will take it and some coolant just in case.

Can't wait!

Just a thought (and a bit of a bodge) if things are getting a bit too hot you can always put the heater on to max. and the heater fan full on to add a bit more cooling.

Thats sure to invite Betty Swallocks into your van in the current heatwave

I have been known to do that when stuck in traffic to aid the fan...

Mine sits at 2/3 to 3/4. Rad fan cuts in and out as it should.

jamesandtheopenroad wrote: I know that between the thermostat and the fan, they are supposed to keep the engine at a fairly constant temperature (open/closed, fan off/on etc) but is this right, or are both stats crap? Just looking for reassurance before I blow my engine up miles from anywhere with a load of sheep laughing at me.

Yours is behaving exactly as it should

By the time the fan kicks in the thermostat will be fully open and all the coolant heated.

Martin

jamesandtheopenroad wrote:I have been known to do that when stuck in traffic to aid the fan...

If you need the heater to keep it from overheating in British weather, even in really really heavy traffic, then it's definitely time for a new rad...!

Yeah, I thought I might. It was looking pretty rusty last time I was underneath it. Is it an easy job?

Yes it's easy enough to do in a few hours

Excellent. Will order one for a few weeks time.

Thanks again.

AdrianC wrote:

jamesandtheopenroad wrote:I have been known to do that when stuck in traffic to aid the fan...

If you need the heater to keep it from overheating in British weather, even in really really heavy traffic, then it's definitely time for a new rad...!

Of course there is a lot of difference between putting the heater on to 'help' cooling in traffic..and...actually 'needing' to put the heater on just to keep the temp to an exceptable level.

I have been known to do that when stuck in traffic to aid the fan ....that doesn't read like he HAS TO use the heater just that he chooses to.

Martin