Fluctuating Temp Gauge - Normal?

[LC23]

Hi Guys

Another question from a new owner. The temp gauge on the V8V sits bang on half way when the car is running in town/spirited driving etc., but drops to about quarter of the way when on the motorway. Is this normal - only asking as based on other cars I have owned this is usually a sign the thermostat is not working as it should.

Cheers

[Adam2S]

nope not normal - neither of my cars have done this

[bogie]

no not normal, sounds as if the stat has gone dodgy...quite common by all accounts, seems to be a weak point. You may find fuel economy is down a bit too

new stat is about £170, I had one too on my 5 year 50K service earlier in year for same symptoms as you are getting

[hussar10a]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This should help (assuming I've copied and pasted correctly of course !)

[LC23]

Excellent, cheers guys. It's already in next Weds with the Dealer to replace an oxygen sensor so I'll give them a call and say it looks like the Thermostat needs to be replaced as well. Glad I bought a car with the extended warranty!

[LC23]

OK, as I was half expecting the dealer told me that "everything is working as it should". I know from past experience on other cars and reading the link that you guys had the exact same symptoms that my car has and therefore almost certainly needs a new Stat and seal. Car is just about 4 years old so it seems the optimum time that these need replacing.

Normally I would just go to a good indy and get the work done but the car is under AM warranty so as far as I am concerned this should be dealt with at no cost to me. How do I "make" the dealer change this under warranty. I can certainly show them the link which spells out the problem. But they could still turn round and say "but we have trained technicians who think your car is fine". I know I could try another Dealer but the one I have been using is most convenient for me to drop the car in and leave for the day while at work.

[rick-derby-]

Under normal road testing and general workshop testing this fault will not show up, the majority of V8 Vantages at 4 years old have exhibited this issue in varying degrees, and two thirds of these have been repaired under the extended warranty, and I would be really surprised if the thermastat was taken out of your car to find it ok, possible but unlikely, and the cars we have repaired or refered to the dealer network has had a 100% success rate, improving mpg and increasing heater efficency, and the engine working at it's optimum effiency, Speak to them again expressing your concerns and also mention this is a common problem not an isolated case,

[LC23]

Thanks very much for your input Rick. As I stated, I would normally just come straight to you/other respected indy but for me the warranty should cover this. I will speak with them again and show them the link to the thread and express my concerns that I am not happy the car is working as it should be. Fingers crossed.

[Neil1300R]

LC23 said:

Thanks very much for your input Rick. As I stated, I would normally just come straight to you/other respected indy but for me the warranty should cover this. I will speak with them again and show them the link to the thread and express my concerns that I am not happy the car is working as it should be. Fingers crossed.

Looked at your profile, says you are in the South East, give us a clue as to which dealer, someone on here may have experience of them / know workshop manager etc. No need to 'name and shame' just clues.

[blackice1]

LC23 said:

Thanks very much for your input Rick. As I stated, I would normally just come straight to you/other respected indy but for me the warranty should cover this. I will speak with them again and show them the link to the thread and express my concerns that I am not happy the car is working as it should be. Fingers crossed.

If you are over the buckinghamshire area pop in at Stratstone Amersham and we will have a look for you, As Rick says it will more than likely be a thermostat and yes this would be covered under warranty.

[LC23]

blackice1 said:

LC23 said:

Thanks very much for your input Rick. As I stated, I would normally just come straight to you/other respected indy but for me the warranty should cover this. I will speak with them again and show them the link to the thread and express my concerns that I am not happy the car is working as it should be. Fingers crossed.

If you are over the buckinghamshire area pop in at Stratstone Amersham and we will have a look for you, As Rick says it will more than likely be a thermostat and yes this would be covered under warranty.

That would be excellent as I am only 15 miles or so from Amersham. I just want to be able to drop the car in and be told that yes it is the thermostat/seal and we already have the parts and will replace under warranty. Would you be able to PM me so I can contact you directly?

[LC23]

Neil1300R said:

LC23 said:

Thanks very much for your input Rick. As I stated, I would normally just come straight to you/other respected indy but for me the warranty should cover this. I will speak with them again and show them the link to the thread and express my concerns that I am not happy the car is working as it should be. Fingers crossed.

Looked at your profile, says you are in the South East, give us a clue as to which dealer, someone on here may have experience of them / know workshop manager etc. No need to 'name and shame' just clues.

Hi Neil. It's Lancaster Reading. The guys know the car as it's been through them for the last three services etc. and it is simple for me to pop in there due to work. And I just want to add that I am not naming and shaming here, simply stating which daeler I have taken it to!

Edited by LC23 on Thursday 23 September 15:17

[LC23]

Big thumbs up to Strastone, Amersham. Just spoke to them and they will order a new thermostat (with seal) without even seeing the car and replace under warranty.

[bogie]

well there you go, there are some dealers out there with common sense and good service

/I got my car from there years ago and it was a very pleasant experience

[blackice1]

Well Lee drop his car off this morning about 9am , we have addressed some of his other issues to give the car a chance to cool down , have just taken the Thermostat out and it is fubar, will take some pics and post them up , so if any of you have the same issues you can send them to your repairer.

[LC23]

blackice1 said:

Well Lee drop his car off this morning about 9am , we have addressed some of his other issues to give the car a chance to cool down , have just taken the Thermostat out and it is fubar, will take some pics and post them up , so if any of you have the same issues you can send them to your repairer.

Brilliant, cheers! And I even got dropped home in the Rapide! I've dropped you a PM so anytime the car is ready to collect let me know as I am around to come and pick it up.

[shunt]

Stratstone Wilmslow replaced my thermostat today, it gets to temp much quicker and stays there. Fixed another couple of niggles FOC. After 12 years of BMW dealers, it was a refreshing change.

[LC23]

shunt said:

Stratstone Wilmslow replaced my thermostat today, it gets to temp much quicker and stays there. Fixed another couple of niggles FOC. After 12 years of BMW dealers, it was a refreshing change.

Same for me. 10 years of BMW ownership where I only used a main dealer as a last resort. First AM and Stratstone Amersham were more than happy to sort a few niggles I had FOC. It would appear to depend on which dealership you take it to though!