Club 80-90 Forums

So. I have just pulled over during my house move using the van...
After about an hour, I noticed the engine temp guage creeping up from just past the thin line (where I thought is the correct temp).
It started sitting around here:

Now, I'm not entirely sure this is a good thing... I checked the coolant level in the main tank which was kind of low, but not exactly bone dry... I am a little concerned as I still have about 150 miles to do today!

....oh well, onwards and upwards as they say!

I've always been told it should point at 12 o'clock or just over when at normal operating temp. I could be wrong!!!

Well I'm happy with that then haha!
Cheers mate!

Yep, when up to correct temp it should sit on the LED (roughly)

Spot on Santa

I'm beginning to think my temp sensor isn't working correctly... it would seem that there may possibly be a slight electrical fault. The temperature stayed at just above cold for about 60 miles this evening then (after a sharp braking incident due to an idiot cutting me up on the motorway to get off at his junction), the guage moved up to normal.
And since I refuse to believe that the engine was cold for 60 miles, I must have a dodgy temp sensor... oh good!

gah!
it'll take all of ten mins to change it!

Santa79 wrote:So. I have just pulled over during my house move using the van...
After about an hour, I noticed the engine temp guage creeping up from just past the thin line (where I thought is the correct temp).
It started sitting around here:

That looks about right - but it should get there within a few miles of starting off, and stay there.

I think your thermostat might be stuck open (or even missing).

6 - 8 mins @ normal driving conditions with ambient 4 deg C temp

Three things come to my mind here (other than your gauge is correct when at the centre).

Firstly, if the gauge suddenly moved after a hard breaking event, then it is likely a loose wire issue, either at the sensor, or in the dash.

Secondly, naughty you for not checking your coolant level often enough and allowing the main tank to get low ! These vans do not respond well to low coolant levels Do check it more often and if it needs constant topping up, find out why and fix it !

Thirdly, so your low coolant sensor is not working then. If the main tank gets anything below about 2" from the correct "full to the brim" then the red coolant LED on the dash should start to flash (as a warning to STOP and check what is going on). To check it's function, simply turn the ignition on, don't start the engine, the LED should flash for about 4 seconds and then go out. Now go to the main coolant tank and pull off the small electrical plug that is at the top of it. Now watch that LED. After a delay of up to 30 seconds it should start to flash. It won't stop (even if you replace the connector on the tank) until you turn the ignition off and then back on to "re-set" the circuit. If it fails this test, report back as imho, a low coolant warning light is essential on these vans. (anyone reading this = check yours next time you have the lid off )

p.s. = Just to clarify, we are talking about the "main" tank here, not the expansion tank behind the number plate flap.

p.p.s. = Just thought, this possibly might be a tad more serious. I wonder if you had an air lock because of your low coolant level and the hard breaking caused a surge of water to "move" the airlock, in turn causing what might have been a lack of water around the sensor (making it read low) to change ?

Anyway, after running it low on coolant, a quick bleed job might be advisable to be on the safe side.

surge of water..


it's not a bath!

Yeh, on reflection, that last "thought" might not be that good a thought