Running Temperatures

[Steve]

Not sure if i had posted this in wrong place. Starting thread hoping to get better response. as am new and desperate.

Click Me (http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50527)

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Ive had loads of trouble with runnin warm and overheatin, hope this is of some help. . .

1st thing to do starting with the simplist and cheapest is check for leaks and check that your running with the right water level and Anti freeze mix.

2nd If all the above is fine change the Thermostate, if you have fitted an aftermarket induction kit removing that will allow easy access to the therm (only about £10 with new seals Main Dealer) while your there why not flush out the complete system and put fresh water+anti freeze in.

If your still getting hot at all times not just in heavy traffic, get a Dye test done this will show if there is any CO2 in your cooling system in other words HEAD GASKET. Like I said, I had loads of trouble with my VTS one garage wanted to doa head gasket turned out to be sticky Thermo and dodgy Rad cap not holdin the pressure in the coolin system.

Dont rust out and give work to a garage check the bits you can you might be lucky, if not shop around and get a good price if it turns out to be HG as a few extra quid an hour at one garage could add aload extra cost on a big job.

Good luck.

If Im helpfull Rep me and I will do the same to you :-)

[Steve]

how much are head gaskets don't think it will be that.... the radiator doesn't look too good to be honest al try and get a photo up tonight when i get home....

[hellonpluto]

Mine runs warm as well. I've had a new radiator fitted as it was leaking. Sometimes see the temp at 3/4 but the fan kicks in above that. Normally runs at just over half say 5/8 up the gauge.

I thought it was something to worry about and posted a message about this but people were saying if it doesn't overheat then don't worry. A lot of other sax-p peeps were saying theirs runs at 3/4 and others at 1/2.

[Steve]

cool cool... well warm very warm... lol
but al check my levels when i get in and post few pictures of the radiator as i think it does look bad. does your fan make alot of noise when you turn the car off? my radiator has most the little bits of metal that are in the gabs (don't know technical term) missing and when you touch some they are falling out lol. but its not been over 3/4 the way but its 1/2 way if am not foot to floor or when was on private road at 4k revs. which think was about 90mph

[VTS_16v_Boy]

I checked with Citroen Main Dealer as Id only use Citroen parts wen it comes to Head Gaskets. But thats IMO.

Head Gasket, Inlet Gasket and Exhaust Manfold Gasket came to about £80 then its whatever the garage charges you I got quotes between £190 to £250 which included having the head skimmed but didn't include Gaskets. I had a new rad fitted not long after gettin the car but didnt change the thermo.

But I guess you learn through your mistakes :-)

Like I said if your changing the Rad change the Thermo and flush out the block. Watch out for air blocks in the engine block which will only show on a run round the block. Just make sure you keep plenty of water in the boot just in case.

[VTS_16v_Boy]

In ref to people runnin above 1/2 way that maybe but If the water is gettin stuck in the block then a new rad will just look pretty its the Thermo that really controls everything and seeing as its so cheap then I'd recomend anyone that runs over 1/2 change their thermo and see if the temp drops.

[Scott]

3/4 is fine, if it generally doesnt get any higher dont worry about it.

[VTS_16v_Boy]

My Rad was in the same way, bit fallin off so check either or both europarts and eBay for a new rad and see how things go. Ive had a few XR's in the past mostly all CVH's (XR3i's XR2's XR2i's) and they used to stay cold for ages until you'd get stuck in traffic then they would shoot up to not far off the red then the fan would bring the temp down to nearly cold. In summer if you've been drivin . . . sportingly :-) then I'd be happy to see 3/4 but now its gettin cooler and if you've got your Old granny in the car 3/4 then I'd be worried.

But thats IMO - as I've ad few cars suffer with warm runnin in the past.

Post some pic's as it be good to show people how bad rads can get