Thermostat..?

[maser_4200]

Hi,

I've recently noticed the temp gauge is creeping up over 90 deg (say to 95 deg or thereabouts) after 4k revs / then coming to a stop in traffic. Coolant seems OK in header and loud fan (full speed) seems to be kicking in. Some heat haze from driver side front so it is getting hot. Am wondering if this is a sign that the thermostat may be sticking / not opening fully? As best I can remember, it always used to sit at 90 deg on the dot after warm-up. Thoughts..?

Thanks!

 

[CatmanV2]

Mine has always done this. I've thought similar that the stat may be not quite fully opening, but it's never showed any inclination to overheat (even in pretty high temps last summer) so I'm not *massively* worried.

I think, at the end of the day, as long as the fan can bring the temperature down, it should be fine. Of course if you're planning on a high speed mountain tour, you might want to take action

C

 

[maser_4200]

Mine has always done this. I've thought similar that the stat may be not quite fully opening, but it's never showed any inclination to overheat (even in pretty high temps last summer) so I'm not *massively* worried.

I think, at the end of the day, as long as the fan can bring the temperature down, it should be fine. Of course if you're planning on a high speed mountain tour, you might want to take action

C

OK, that's interesting - thanks. How high does your gauge read in these circumstances?

I always have air con on.

Only recent thing is I have a bottle of STP fuel system cleaner in the tank, but this should have no bearing on overall temperatures (or probably the cleanliness of the fuel system but hey....)

 

[CatmanV2]

OK, that's interesting - thanks. How high does your gauge read in these circumstances?

I always have air con on.

Only recent thing is I have a bottle of STP fuel system cleaner in the tank, but this should have no bearing on overall temperatures (or probably the cleanliness of the fuel system but hey....)

About 95 ish. I never turn my aircon off as it were, but it may not be cooling me down, if that makes sense

If you want to spend some more money, I've got a few gallons of snake oil I can let you have

C

 

[maser_4200]

About 95 ish. I never turn my aircon off as it were, but it may not be cooling me down, if that makes sense

If you want to spend some more money, I've got a few gallons of snake oil I can let you have

C

OK - well maybe the cooling system is performing to spec. I'll get it checked at an upcoming service anyhow.

Gotcha on aircon - but I think that it's running on Econ or not running the car that loses the gas. I think once it is on, the fan(s) may behave differently.

The snake oil is good for the roots of the ponzi tree.

 

[alfatwo]

About 95 ish. I never turn my aircon off as it were, but it may not be cooling me down, if that makes sense

If you want to spend some more money, I've got a few gallons of snake oil I can let you have

C

Never turn off the air con eh C....thats nearly 10 bhp with that huge compressor drag....

That why canny old school 3200 owners will always be faster...and the old cars are lighter too!

Dave

 

[CatmanV2]

Never turn off the air con eh C....thats nearly 10 bhp with that huge compressor drag....

That why canny old school 3200 owners will always be faster...and the old cars are lighter too!

Dave

Only when the compressor is on, Dave old chap, surely? I agree about old cars. My 116 is about the same as a box of tissues

Maser_4200. You are correct. The fans do run differently. There should be a low speed fan, but I can't get mine working despite replacing the resistor. Needs investigation. As long as the 'gas' is kept circulating, your seals will be kept as good as possible, so your minimise the risk of gas loss due to dry seals indeed.

C

 

[alfatwo]

Only when the compressor is on, Dave old chap, surely? I agree about old cars. My 116 is about the same as a box of tissues

Maser_4200. You are correct. The fans do run differently. There should be a low speed fan, but I can't get mine working despite replacing the resistor. Needs investigation. As long as the 'gas' is kept circulating, your seals will be kept as good as possible, so your minimise the risk of gas loss due to dry seals indeed.

C

Getting off topic for a mo,how's your training coming along?....

Dave

 

[CatmanV2]

Getting off topic for a mo,how's your training coming along?....

Dave

Slowly, I think is the word. It's all 'revision' now. I know the entire syllabus (the formal bit at least, I still need to be shown the last part of the pole form) so it's being checked out on it all. 100 days Iron Palm is scheduled after the Centenary trip where the idea will be that as my hand comes down for the last strike, it's all done.
Sometime in January

C

 

[conaero]

I had this and it was the fan resistor, a common fault. Basically when it fails the low speed fan does not kick in so you get all or nothing and no intermediate cooling so this the temp gauge goes up and down.

Its about £30 and half hour to fit.

Jack up the car, remove the front under tray/lower bumper panel.

Locate the resistor in the fan housing, and remove the 2 philips screws and 2 wiring connectors taking note on which way round they go.

Refit the new one, and refit the undertray, job done.

 

[maser_4200]

I had this and it was the fan resistor, a common fault. Basically when it fails the low speed fan does not kick in so you get all or nothing and no intermediate cooling so this the temp gauge goes up and down.

Its about £30 and half hour to fit.

Jack up the car, remove the front under tray/lower bumper panel.

Locate the resistor in the fan housing, and remove the 2 philips screws and 2 wiring connectors taking note on which way round they go.

Refit the new one, and refit the undertray, job done.

Thank you - that could be it. Used to be a "standard" issue on the Alfas if I remember...

 

[CatmanV2]

Thank you - that could be it. Used to be a "standard" issue on the Alfas if I remember...

There is some discussion that the value might be different, but I'm not convinced.

C