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[Rich_v6_Estate_Elite]

Just noticed whilst out that when the air con is switched off the temp rises. Got to 95 before I switched Air con back on and the temp fell back to where it normally sits at 82.5.

There is no visible signs of leaks and the header is full to the max line.

Can anyone give me some clues please?

Thanks in Advance

[HGV mechanic]

hi , personally i would have said 90-95 is normal running temp.
does it go any higher?
what condition is the coolant and rad in?

[Rich_v6_Estate_Elite]

Not sure with the coolant but once I get my Trade Club card tomorrow I will be off to local VX to part with large sum of cash, coolant is on the growing list!

Rad looks fine and no visible signs of leaks etc

I just get jittery when I see the temp going high!

[HGV mechanic]

 , dont blame you,
only other thing i could think of is possibly the water pump is worn thus not circulating the water good enough.

anything over 100'c is a worry

[Kevin Wood]

It's normal for the engine to run a little hotter without air con. This is because the auxiliary cooling fans run all the time with the air con on, and  provide a little airflow through the rad. even if the car is stopped.

Without the air con on, the engine should heat up to just over the mid point on the gauge in traffic whereby the fans will be triggered by a thermoelectric switch and cool the radiator.

An engine can heat up to over 100 degrees C assuming the coolant has plenty of antifreeze (which raises the boiling point) and is retaining pressure. Over 110 - 115 degrees is where I start to worry. Having said that, it would take extreeme conditions or a fault to get an Omega that hot, and dash gauges are not that accurate anyway.

If it's running appreciably cooler than the mid point on the gauge, especially when cruising, and takes more than 3 or 4 miles to warm up, I'd say you might have a faulty thermostat.

Kevin

[Rich_v6_Estate_Elite]

Thanks Kevin,

It does take a while to warm up and does run, even on Motorway, at around 80.

For the cost of a thermostat and fact will be doing coolant will be changed  anyway is worth doing to be safe.

Thanks again

[ians]

Thanks Kevin,

It does take a while to warm up and does run, even on Motorway, at around 80.

For the cost of a thermostat and fact will be doing coolant will be changed  anyway is worth doing to be safe.

Thanks again

'
Its not the cost of the stat that is the issue.   Wait till you learn where it is - clue do a search on 'b@stard bolt'

BTW Re the first two posts, facelift cars have lower figures on the scale (so I am told) - on pre facelift midpoint is c. 95, but I think <90 on post facelift, hence a bit of confusion.   Given that the engine/thermostat is the same on both I guess that shows how accurate the gauge is..

[Kevin Wood]

The only snag is the termostat is a bit of a PITA to get to on the V6.  :-/

Another check. Start the engine from cold and see if the top radiator hose begins to get warm immediately. It should stay relatively cool (might get lukewarm) until the engine is up to full temperature and then suddenly get piping hot when the thermostat opens.

If it's gradually getting warm before this stage it's an indication that the thermostat is opening early or not sealing.

Temperature gauge seemed to change around the facelift time. Most facelift cars seem to have 80 degrees just below mid point on the gauge, and run at about 80-85, peaking at perhaps 90-95 when the fans come on. Earlier cars have 90 marked just under the mid point, and appear to run hotter, but approximately the same pointer position on the gauge. What I'm, saying is that an indicated temperature of low 80's might not be anything to worry about. If it's taking more than a couple of miles to reach its' "normal" running temperature that is a sign of a thermostat issue though.

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

Yeah, it's never a good idea to talk about numbers on the temperature gauge, partly because they're so inaccurate and partly because they're not consistent between models.

"Just below mid point" on then open road and "just above mid point" in traffic is probably all you need to know.

Kevin

[Rich_v6_Estate_Elite]

Thanks Kevin,

It does take a while to warm up and does run, even on Motorway, at around 80.

For the cost of a thermostat and fact will be doing coolant will be changed  anyway is worth doing to be safe.

Thanks again

'
Its not the cost of the stat that is the issue.   Wait till you learn where it is - clue do a search on 'b@stard bolt'

BTW Re the first two posts, facelift cars have lower figures on the scale (so I am told) - on pre facelift midpoint is c. 95, but I think <90 on post facelift, hence a bit of confusion.   Given that the engine/thermostat is the same on both I guess that shows how accurate the gauge is..

Well as I am having loads done, lots of preventative maintenance, as I love this car and want it to last, I am getting my neighbour who is a mechanic to do the work, unfortunately I have a lack of time to do it myself at the mo.

So I'll let him have the fun this time he he he  

Is that cruel??