Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Dave G on 13 October 2009, 11:26:56
-
2.6 V6 engine - after a 50-mile motorway trip at the weekend, so everything nice and warm, I noticed the temp gauge was just below 80. Turning the aircon OFF or to ECO let it rise slightly to about 90.
I'm sure I remember the normal temp being higher than this, like up to almost 100. Does this point to a thermostat problem or is it normal and it's me that's paranoid?
Not looking forward to a stat change...
-
about 90 - 95 :y
as long as it does'nt get above 100 then i would not worry too much :y
just give it a good flush through and put plenty of anti freeze in :y
the more the better :y
check if your fans are working though :y
-
about 90 - 95 :y
as long as it does'nt get above 100 then i would not worry too much :y
just give it a good flush through and put plenty of anti freeze in :y
the more the better :y
check if your fans are working though :y
More is not better. 50/50 mix only :y
-
more definately not better, antifreeze properties change radically with concentration....ive got a graph somewhere....
-
normally thermostat opens at 93 and the fan comes on at 98.
-
more definately not better, antifreeze properties change radically with concentration....ive got a graph somewhere....
:-[ :-[ did'nt know that :y
i'll get my coat ;D
-
Hmmm...
Thanks for that. I don't seem to get near the stat opening temp then, my temp being below 80.
Maybe I'll run the engine from cold and check if the hose from the stat warms gradually - as opposed to warming suddenly when the stat opens.
This should give it away, do you reckon?
-
Later models run cooler - or at least the gauge is calibrated differently. My 3.2 runs at about 85 indicated on the gauge with the air con on. Turn off the air con and it will increase to just over 90 in traffic where the fans start.
It does sound like yours is running a little cool.
Try starting it from cold and see if the top radiator hose warms up with the engine or stays cool until it's hit running temperature and then suddenly gets very hot.
Kevin
-
Many Omega owners would kill to have an engine running on the cool side! I'd be perfectly happy with those temps.
-
Thats right, they usually run too hot for my liking...
Are your fans cutting in when they should? If they are and your gauge still looks cool it might be an innacurate reading. Other than that you could have a thermostat which is sticking open. Either way if its not running cool enough to engage the cold start system in any way it won't be much of a problem.
-
should run at midpoint on gauge. For prefacelifts this is 95C, for facelifts this is 85C
cruising tends to be slightly less, traffic a shade more
-
my 3.2 hangs about 85 but soon goes up in traffic, then the fans come on near 100
-
My 2,6 runs at 87 (ish), just over the 85 line on the gauge. It seems that different models have different scale on the gauge but the rule of thumb is that midway of the gauge should be correct. If constantly higher or lower there is a problem.
-
Thanks for the advice everyone - I'll do some more investigation.
BTW, where's the temperature sender located - I could maybe get a more accurate temperature reading by using a digital thermometer at that location? Then compare the two and...
I'll also try the gradual vs sudden hose warmup test at the weekend.
Thanks again.
DG
-
Thanks for the advice everyone - I'll do some more investigation.
BTW, where's the temperature sender located - I could maybe get a more accurate temperature reading by using a digital thermometer at that location? Then compare the two and...
I'll also try the gradual vs sudden hose warmup test at the weekend.
Thanks again.
DG
In the coolant bridge that's buried right under the back of the plenum. Not easy to get to.
Just dipping a thermometer in the expansion tank (being very careful how you open it with a hot engine!) should be OK as there should be coolant flow through it once fully warmed up.
Kevin
-
yep thatll work but add a couple of degrees on as it is a bit cooler there.
-
Later models run cooler - or at least the gauge is calibrated differently. My 3.2 runs at about 85 indicated on the gauge with the air con on. Turn off the air con and it will increase to just over 90 in traffic where the fans start.
I think it is caused by the temperature sender being in the coolant bridge. I think the water in the coolant bridge is returning to the engine from the heater matrix and is therefore giving a slightly misleading reading.
The facelift has an auxiliary coolant pump which exacerbates the issue.
I fitted a new genuine thermostat last week to cure a problem with my engine not reaching temperature. It is marked 92-107 deg C and it has cured the cool running problem but I definitely don't see a temperature of between 92 & 107 on the gauge (more like 85-90)
(http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~aholter/3247C.JPG)
-
I think it is caused by the temperature sender being in the coolant bridge. I think the water in the coolant bridge is returning to the engine from the heater matrix and is therefore giving a slightly misleading reading.
The facelift has an auxiliary coolant pump which exacerbates the issue.
Well, the coolant actually leaves the engine via the coolant bridge. The main reason is probably that the condenser fans run continuously when air con is active, and this pulls a bit more air through the rad. when the car is in traffic, so the temperature doesn't start to climb.
I ditched the aux. coolant pump when I fitted LPG and it didn't make any odds.
Kevin
-
i too have a cool running problem 85 on gauge heater temp is not good 22 on climate control is only warmish if i put it to hi its red hot if i put to Lo its cold so HBV seems ok but how do you know if Aux pump running it doesnt seem like it is i had Thermostat changed in march and like Kevins runs at 85 only going up to 90 in heavy traffic then coming straight down to 85 when fan comes on must be how they are as it runs ok gives good MPG
-
Aux pump only appears to run if you select climate with the engine stopped - to use "residual heat" to keep the car warm.
As I say, I removed mine and it has made no difference.
Kevin