1.8 Coolant Temperature

[Sosban]

What should be the normal temperature range of the coolant at normal running conditions?

I have been monitoring the coolant temperature via a Scanguage for the last 2 years. I had a problem of loosing about 100ml coolant a week, and had replaced the pressure cap, water pump, inlet manifold gasket, installed a Gerry T and various other checks, but couldn't find the source. There was no mayo under the oil cap, and no sign of oil in the coolant.

Then in December the coolant loss had become much worse, and my local garage who had previously been unable to find the source of the coolant loss, identified the head gasket as the problem. I had the head gasket replaced, and for the last 6 weeks have not needed to add a drop of coolant.

However, whereas previously the Scangauge showed the temperature in the range 93 - 99 when running, the temperature now frequently goes up to above 105, and this morning reached 111C, before dropping again.

Should I be concerned? Comments would be welcome.

[Parker]

My 1.8 runs around the 88 mark which is a bit on the low side but I have no fuel useage issues and the car drives well. 111 seems to be a bit on the high side, were you idling? Also with aircon on auto the fan keeps running and I have noticed when idle the temp remains more constant as with it off the temp rises before kicking in. Highest I've ever recorded is 98.

[T-Cut]

Your pre-op temperature range of 93-99C is typical. Mine's generally in that range as well. It would seem to me that something changed - cooling-wise - after the op. My first check would be for an air lock. Any cooling system volume occupied by air reduces the volume available for coolant. And the 1.8 has precious little at best. Reduced coolant volume means it will not flow so well around the system. Do you know if they refilled by evacuation? My suggestion is to go back to the garage and ask them why it runs hot. The op should still have warranty.

TC

[chrissyboy]

mine runs at around 94/98 sometimes it will rise to 100 but drops down ,,,i had 3 major ver heating problems so i guess a new stat might be worth putting in .... did you hear the fan kick in at 104 when it rose to 105

[T-Cut]

Just had a thought. Some garages are tempted to put a new thermostat in 1.8s that actually have the external PRT. You've fitted a Gerry-T, so yours has a PRT. There should be only a 'dummy' stat/flow orifice in the head housing. That's where my money's going.

TC

[pab]

totally agree with T C on this one,an airlock is in the system,take it back to the garage and have it sorted,these temperatures that you are experiencing are perilously high and more damage will be the result

[vindaloo]

Even if you manage to reach 104 in heavy traffic your low speed fan should cut in and cool the car rapidly in this weather.
If you are are going even higher than that something is definitely not right.
As TC says it's likely an air-lock or your mechanic has replaced the thermostat dummy with a real stat.
Get this checked right away as you may well be facing more trouble.
I take it the garage is not an MGR specialist?