Just had a remote thermostat fitted to my Litace as my existing one was only registering to the mid point so I was suspicious of the reading. The new one tells me that the temperature is at 210 degrees Fah. while on normal round town running. Haven't had the opportunity as yet to test on the hills etc. Does that sound about OK or do we think it may be running a tad hot?

Also after a noticable screaching sound first thing in a morning or when cold, I have just had the belts retensioned on the alternator etc. This seems to have cured that problem.

- (#10706) Dick Bolton, 6 May 04 02:41

A vehicle thermostat is a self-contained metal thingy about the size of a plum that is usually hidden where the top radiator hose joins the engine - though its the bottom one in Aces. It blocks the coolant flow until it gets hot - typically at around 90 degrees Celsius - above which it should let the coolant circulate.

What you've described sounds more like a temperature gauge. 210 deg F is 99 deg C which sounds fairly normal. The gauge usually measures the temperature near the top of the engine which will be higher than at the thermostat/bottom hose.

How the temperature changes is as important as knowing what it is in degrees Anything. You should see it rise quickly to the point when the thermostat opens and then rise more slowly, if at all. Watch for exceptional increases. See the effects of the amount of airflow through the radiator - caused by the fan starting to turn, road speed, and blockages such as the number plate.

- (#10706) Dave (Sussex), 6 May 04 03:21

Guess it depends on the engine but if you are running 99c unlaboured - it may be a tad hot.
However, do get your measuring equipment checked out. I was using a multimeter to monitor the temp and getting very worried until I didcovered it was out of calibration.
If its simple enough to do I would bang your sensor in a kettle of boiling water to check for 100c reading. At least then you know if your equipment is accurate

- (#10706) chris and hiace, 6 May 04 07:56

Would help if I got my facts right. They fitted the sensor at the top. I towed my trailer today to collect a new kitset Shed probably about 140kls round trip and quite a heavy trailer. The temperature moved into the red and peaked at around 225 degrees Fah. and you say the thermostat is at the bottom. Fan seems to be working well. Didnt make any difference going or coming back with the shed on. I did look under the van when I got there just to see if there was any water being lost but negative

- (#10706) Dick Bolton, 6 May 04 23:36

Seems normal enough. 107c pulling hard with a trailer? The system is designed to hold pressure up to around 115c as I recall, and the a/c cutout switch trips at 112c IIRC. But you're reading the temp at the top of the head (sender fitted near the rad cap, right?)so actual internal temperatures will be a degree or two lower. The thermostat will only be fully open when the lower block temperature reaches 95c.
What speed were you doing/ what was ambient, and are you 2wd or 4x4?

- (#10706) David Miller, 7 May 04 00:47

You are correct the sender was fitted on a nuckle bend about 150 mm away from the rad. cap and just a bit lower. I think they may have removed a plug to instal it there. My liteace is 2wd diesel with manual gearbox Towing the trailer I was doing around 70-80 klms hour. It didnt seem to overheat at all and performed well but as my in dash guage has only being registering at the midway point it paniced me a bit. They have left the existing guage still operating. Could it be possible that it is still OK and registering the true temperature at the bottom of the block. I appreciate your help. Its great!

- (#10706) Dick Bolton, 7 May 04 01:54

Your existing gauge's sensor is not at the bottom of the block. It's in the head. But it's pointer will remain left of the middle until the temperature exceeds at least 110 deg C (230 F), maybe more. Interpreted correctly your setup will be useful. What make is the new gauge? The sensor sounds easy to fit, does it have dec C as well as deg F?

- (#10706) Dave (Sussex), 7 May 04 02:17

Doesn't show makers name I just went to the Auto electrician and told him what I wanted. He understood the reliability problem with the existing one. Cost 120 NZ dollars or around 40 pounds all up fitted. The guage max goes up to 250 fah no centigrade measurement. He would swap it if I asked. The sensor just screws in so I guess it was easy to fit

- (#10706) Dick Bolton, 7 May 04 03:08

With your new gauge's sensor where it is I wonder if the reading is low until the thermostat opens and allows water to flow past the sensor and on down through the radiator - whereas the old gauge will have gone up to near the middle much sooner? If so then beware that thermostat-stuck-shut failure will be indicated by a LOW reading on your new gauge, not a high one - but I may be wrong on this.

- (#10706) Dave (Sussex), 7 May 04 04:16

Both of the guages seem to register very quickly, but of course the new one rises to the top whereas the in dash only goes to the half way point. I have taken on board what you say and will make any judgement accordingly. I might discus it further with the auto electrician about changing the position of the sensor.
Many thanks

- (#10706) Dick Bolton, 7 May 04 13:42

The thread that your new sensor is screwed into is that same as the original location in the head. Put the sensor there and forget about the standard gauge. Having the sender in the coolant neck as Dave says will make it less accurate in case of a thermostat failure, plus it will also display massive heatsoak if you stop after a hard run leave the car for a few minutes and then restart...

- (#10706) David Miller, 8 May 04 00:44

I have just overhaul my 2c engine and I notice that every the engine reach it normal temperature it would not start I recheck the engine timing it was ok But when it is cold it start right up. could anyone help me.

- (#10706) Bertram Mackey, 14 May 04 05:10