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[Dave G]

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...

[tigers_gonads]

about 90 - 95 

as long as it does'nt get above 100 then i would not worry too much 

just give it a good flush through and put plenty of anti freeze in 

the more the better 

check if your fans are working though

[RobG]

about 90 - 95 

as long as it does'nt get above 100 then i would not worry too much 

just give it a good flush through and put plenty of anti freeze in 

the more the better 

check if your fans are working though

More is not better. 50/50 mix only

[Jimbob]

more definately not better, antifreeze properties change radically with concentration....ive got a graph somewhere....

[deviator]

normally thermostat opens at 93 and the fan comes on at 98.

[tigers_gonads]

more definately not better, antifreeze properties change radically with concentration....ive got a graph somewhere....

  did'nt know that   

i'll get my coat 

[Dave G]

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?

[Kevin Wood]

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

[Alex Wood]

Many Omega owners would kill to have an engine running on the cool side! I'd be perfectly happy with those temps.

[101 Tommy]

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.

[TheBoy]

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

[3.2 manual]

my 3.2 hangs about 85 but soon goes up in traffic, then the fans come on near 100

[kcl]

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.

[Dave G]

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

[Kevin Wood]

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