Topic: Guide to Overheating (Read 3180 times)

ClubCalibra · « **on:** May 09, 2006, 20:40:16 PM »

Overheating Problems

I've had overheating problems with the turbo, so I decided I should do something about it.

1. I changed the fan switch with one that fires up at 92degrees (instead of 98). Cheap mod, and very effective in the summer. Just make sure your air con is earthed afterwards.

2. Swapped the radiator for the Supercool one (Regal do them). It boasts larger core, more antifreeze capacity (0.5l+) and better heat transfer. I think it does what is says on the tin, plus it's a direct replacement so you don't have funny re-routings of cables etc. For £200 it's not too bad

3. Introduced WaterWetter in the coolant. In 50/50 mix it boasts 2 degrees lower temps.

Steps 2+3 were implemented one day apart, so it's hard to tell the incremental difference. Overall, I've *never* seen the needle over 92. (before I even had coolant blow all over the bonnet - how embarrassing!) - Now, it takes almost 5 minutes for the needle to move at *all*. In the summer, I call this a good cooling system.

mrt1664 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2006, 21:15:20 PM »

ive got a 16v red top and my temp needle never goes above 90 i left it running for over 10 mins and the temp raised to 96 ish and then the fan cut in and dropped it back down
more often than not the temp stays just above the blue even after ive floored it along the motorway is this right

shorty_jkt · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2006, 17:13:31 PM »

lol doesnt sound like u got a thermostat to me m8!
seriously id check it if i were u, as when i bought mine i drove 200 miles home on the motor way and it barely went over the blue

got home and then realised there was no thermostat lol. good luck m8 hope it doesnt reveal any overheating problems, the thermostat makes the engine heat up quicker as it regulates the amount of coolant going through the block, if theeres no thermostat its constantly running cool and if ur onthe motorway its never gona heat up

!

dj_smurph · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2006, 17:21:34 PM »

my thermostat was stuck open having the same probs but it only cost 7 pound from the local motor factors

mrt1664 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2006, 17:23:27 PM »

are they hard to fit (thermostats) or is it a garage job

shorty_jkt · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2006, 18:40:24 PM »

very very easy on these cars m8.

if u folow the top radiator hose (SHORTY CHUNKY ONE) to the engine, its connected to the rad on one end and the thermostat on the other.

its 3 10mm bolts and then the housing comes off, when u buy ur thermostat most come with the housing and gasget(rubber ring)too so u can just replace the whole thing.

then attach up the hose again and top up the coolant
job done

garage will charge u for an hours labour plus the coolant.

v6calibra24valve · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2006, 06:35:11 AM »

hi when i first got my v6 never used to notice what temp it run at then it over heated cap was fu**** and fitted new temp switch now runs up to about 102 was told this was very high will blow the head is this true are do the calibres just seem to run this hot many thanks once again

makemadam · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2006, 15:14:01 PM »

:ive got a 16v red top and my temp needle never goes above 90 i left it running for over 10 mins and the temp raised to 96 ish and then the fan cut in and dropped it back down
more often than not the temp stays just above the blue even after ive floored it along the motorway is this right:

yeah m8 i had a red top until recently and i think this is the correct running temps for these engines. Unless its a turbo theres no reason why it should run any hotter than 96. mine used to run below 90 all day long

CallyT · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2006, 17:29:18 PM »

Quote from: v6calibra24valve on June 07, 2006, 06:35:11 AM

hi when i first got my v6 never used to notice what temp it run at then it over heated cap was fu**** and fitted new temp switch now runs up to about 102 was told this was very high will blow the head is this true are do the calibres just seem to run this hot many thanks once again

Will show 102 on gauge before fan kicks in - temp sender and rad fan switch (100C) are in different locations, so account for this.
100C is nothing to owrry about, normal operating range is 90-100C.

CallyT · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2006, 17:30:56 PM »

Quote from: makemadam on August 20, 2006, 15:14:01 PM

:ive got a 16v red top and my temp needle never goes above 90 i left it running for over 10 mins and the temp raised to 96 ish and then the fan cut in and dropped it back down
more often than not the temp stays just above the blue even after ive floored it along the motorway is this right:

yeah m8 i had a red top until recently and i think this is the correct running temps for these engines. Unless its a turbo theres no reason why it should run any hotter than 96. mine used to run below 90 all day long

Below 90 is too low. 90-100C is where you want it.
Top paragraph sounds like temp sender needs replacing, as fan should come in at indicated 101/102, not 96.
Would account for it appearing to run too cold too.

CallyT · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2006, 17:34:50 PM »

Quote from: Ash on May 09, 2006, 20:40:16 PM

Overheating Problems

I've had overheating problems with the turbo, so I decided I should do something about it.

1. I changed the fan switch with one that fires up at 92degrees (instead of 98). Cheap mod, and very effective in the summer. Just make sure your air con is earthed afterwards.

Steps 2+3 were implemented one day apart, so it's hard to tell the incremental difference. Overall, I've *never* seen the needle over 92. (before I even had coolant blow all over the bonnet - how embarrassing!) - Now, it takes almost 5 minutes for the needle to move at *all*. In the summer, I call this a good cooling system.

1.What temp does it bring it down to though? 92C is perfect temp.
5 minutes for gauge to move from cold won't be too good for engine. Slower warm up means increased wear and consumption.
The M3 I have at moment, needle starts to move before end of my cul-de-sac, and is at full temp within 5 minutes. Sits rock solid to half way on guage too. That's what I'd call a good cooling system.

smokin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2006, 16:27:39 PM »

seem to have airlock in my 8 valve put on a new thermostat as mine was gubbed but cant get rid of airlock any ideas thanks

notorious_angel_87 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2007, 01:07:55 AM »

had cooling problems ...because of the hot weather here...fan swich seemed to solve it all...i had it to start at 90?!...but now at 85 and it not been a while since i changed my radiator with another 1

brooklyn · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2007, 19:43:36 PM »

Quote

had cooling problems ...because of the hot weather here...

send some over here

notorious_angel_87 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2007, 19:46:45 PM »

hehe i will try

likklejay · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2007, 20:03:27 PM »

I have a 2l red top 16v. I was stuck in traffic in town and the temp went to 100c as i got out of town and moving the temp came right back down. On the motorway no problem normal running temp. Is this normal for the temp to go this far up. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

BigBazz · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2007, 18:22:35 PM »

Though the fan does cut in automaticly for piece of mind i installed a paranoid switch , so when im stuck in traffic on a hot day i can keep the temp down or if its not such a hot day i can leave the sensor to do its work.

V Mad · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2007, 20:05:55 PM »

Some cooling facts:

The 8V Calibra has a single stage temperature switch (2 terminals):

Fan should switch on (full power) at 100 degrees
Fan should switch off (full power) at 95 degrees

The 16V Calibra has a 2-stage temperature switch (3 terminals):

Fan should switch on (low power) at 95 degrees (16V only)
Fan should switch on (full power) at 100 degrees
Fan should switch off (full power) at 95 degrees
Fan should switch off (low power) at 90 degrees

The coolant temp gauges may read slightly more/less than the above readings, and depends on the sender (sensor) being working and accurate. Just because it reads in the red, doesnt necessarily mean the engine's overheating; check gauge/sensor first.

Fans will normally come on only when stationary for some time, but depending more or less on the weather.

Thermostats cut off coolant circulation to aid rapid warm up from cold, and to prevent excessive cooling in very cold weather.

Generally the temp gauge should move beyond the blue sector within a few minutes of starting from cold. Then, when driving, the gauge should indicate anywhere between the blue or red sectors, otherwise there is a gauge/sender fault, a fan switch fault or a faulty thermostat.

Slow (2-5 min depending on weather) warm up is a sign that the thermostat needs replacing.

The cooling system is pressurised (1.2 to 1.35 Bar) and therefore should not normally boil below 125 degrees.

Engine damage should not occur unless the coolant boils. But if the coolant does boil, stop immediately as you may still save yourself engine damage.

foxy v6 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2007, 22:48:52 PM »

Quote from: Ash on May 09, 2006, 20:40:16 PM

Overheating Problems

1. I changed the fan switch with one that fires up at 92degrees (instead of 98). Cheap mod, and very effective in the summer. Just make sure your air con is earthed afterwards.

just woundered where did you get the switch from

Andrew · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2007, 21:30:45 PM »

My 8v seems to run a little hotter than previous 8 valves ive owned, usually sitting between 95 - 98 degrees until the fan kicks in and (slowly) cools it down a little, ive flushed the system out (as the water was seriously rusty) and anti freezed it, I then checked the thermostat which was fine. however this hasint really resolved the situation, my previous callys the temp never really went above 90, any comments anyone? ps there is no head gasket issues.

Author Topic: Guide to Overheating (Read 3180 times)

mrt1664

shorty_jkt

dj_smurph

mrt1664

shorty_jkt

v6calibra24valve

makemadam

CallyT

CallyT

CallyT

smokin

notorious_angel_87

brooklyn

notorious_angel_87

likklejay

BigBazz

V Mad

foxy v6