is it getting too hot?

[andysri]

just re-newed the cav's cambelt as its 400 miles off being due, while i was there i changed the thermostsat housing as mine had been bodged since last year.

i used my spare from the red cavs engine which had a fairly new thermostat in it already but ever since the engine now sits at 90 degrees while driving. ive never had an 8v cav run at this temperature whilst traveling. it hasnt over heated and the fan cuts in at around 95 degrees i just find it a bit odd. is there a fault i need to sort out or is it nothing?

im taking it on a bit of a trip towards the end of the week so i want to make sure its ok before i do

[Cavalier342]

It does sound a little too happy with the temperature. Is the actual thermostat in a good nick? also how is the coolant? It might just be trying to adjust itself and eventually operate as normal

[Squig]

Possibly airlocked?

[Colorado]

My 8v Calibra ran hot like that all the time. Until.......... The head gasket went couldnt believe it when it happened.

[andysri]

well... most of the coolant and water is fresh as its also had a new water pump.

thing is before i did this i suspected the thermostat to be stuck open as it would run up to temperature fine but when driving, it would sit in the blue constantly. in very cold weather the guage barley moved at all. the thermostat that it has now is off my spare engine that was still in the pipework but i believe to be not that old.

is it worth running it back with the original thermostat and see what happens?

the heater blows hot so im assuming there are no air locks but thats not to say there arnt.

i hope its not just coincidence and the head gasket is about to blow!

[Colorado]

Try the old Thermostat?

[Envoy CDX]

90oC? Thermostat doesn't open till 92oC. Mine runs between 90 and 95 once it's up to temp, Fan kicks in around 97-98.

Sounds fine to me.

[CarriesGirl]

My Cav runs at the same temps and I put all new sensors etc in which didn't really help it. She loves Winter as she runs at "normal" temp for a car. However, if she is sat idling in traffic she heats up, then we have to put heater on full heat and blowers on full! Turns into a mobile sauna in summer without windows open!!

I am told by Vauxhall that Cav's are reknown to run on the high side!!??

[andysri]

Try the old Thermostat?

yea im going to do that in the morning before work, cant do any harm to test. that way i'll see if it goes back to running cold on the way to work as at the moment it only takes 5 mins to get up to 90.

90oC? Thermostat doesn't open till 92oC. Mine runs between 90 and 95 once it's up to temp, Fan kicks in around 97-98.

Sounds fine to me.

i cant convince myself its a problem but ive never experienced an 8v running this hot before and it just seemed odd

thanks to everyone for the input, its all useful as always

as for what 'carriesgirl' has just said makes me all the more confuzed lol. as all my experiences have been the opposite, except when were talking 16v engines, i know they like to sit at 90-95 all day long

[Envoy CDX]

Get a new stat from Vauxhall, remember to ask for the seal though, as they don't provide that otherwise. Best 'stats for the car about £13.50 if you suggest you are a trade club member

[andysri]

ive refitted the old thermostat which looking at it is not stuck open??? but the car is running cool again. however i will invest in a new one, as i work in a garage i will get trade discount so i'll expect that sort of price. even if i dont fit it untill the weather turns as this 'cool running' stat as it seems to be, is no good in cold weather as the heaters hardly blow any hot air.

do cool running thermostats exist or am i talking cobblers???

[Squig]

they do... and don't buy one.

The Coolstat is basically a thermostat that opens cooler and helps the engine run cooler for slightly longer but does not affect the final running temperature as the coolant system is unchanged, i.e. the rad is unchanged.

etc etc

[andysri]

i wonder what the game is with this stat then, it looks just like a normal stat but the reading sits in or just above the blue the whole time, unless its sitting ticking over and it slowly heats up and the fan cuts in as normal.

[Envoy CDX]

If it's not really heating up unless sitting still, I'd say the stat is slightly stuck open.

[andysri]

saying that, when i put it back on the car i did notice a slight gap around the plate, it didnt actually look fully closed. i'll invest in a new one and see what happens

[Envoy CDX]

saying that, when i put it back on the car i did notice a slight gap around the plate, it didnt actually look fully closed. i'll invest in a new one and see what happens

See if the parts guy @ Vauxhall is in a happy mood, mention "Tradeclub" too, Vauxhall thermostats seem to operate better than factor / halfrauds items to be fair.

[andysri]

ok thanks for that i will go to vauxhall for it.

does your local vauxhall dealer have a grumpy old man for a parts man as well then?

i will mention the tradeclub as well as ive seen paperwork and books about that in the workshops office but nothing has ever been said about it before so im going to find out about that.

cheers.

[Envoy CDX]

ok thanks for that i will go to vauxhall for it.

does your local vauxhall dealer have a grumpy old man for a parts man as well then?

i will mention the tradeclub as well as ive seen paperwork and books about that in the workshops office but nothing has ever been said about it before so im going to find out about that.

cheers.

Nah, usually fine with me Paper work is an easy fill in form

[andysri]

well, finally yesterday i bought the new stat from vauxhall £14.75 inc seal and vat.

and guess what, normal running temperature is now at 90 degress just like it was when i put the other stat in it.

so, the stat i started with was slightly open, this brand new one is fully shut just like the spare one i put in it.

im still a bit concerned as it does seem a bit on the odd side but to be fair i cant really argue about it.

[Envoy CDX]

Pop the stat back out and back flush the entire cooling system make sure its free of any crap if your really concerned. Though at the minute mine seems to hover around 90-95 of late.

[1800lsi]

My cav sits at 90 all the time , but im sure mine has a slight headgasket problem , went right up of the scale today but calmed down , but then it has been like this for 6 years

[Gaz]

90 is fine, nothing to worry about.

[andysri]

ok thanks for all the feedback, now ive just got to find out where the water is going