Engine temp (again)

[Driller]

Temp was great a while back-hung around 80-90 but ever since (it seems) that I had the ingition retarded slightly it runs straight up to 90C with the fans blasting and stays there even creeping up to 95-100C in traffic on a COOL day. Also there has been a slight ooze from the big hose on the left of the expansion tank even though dealer tweaked jubillee clip. Could this be the problem? Any suggestions gratefully received guys-I''ve just got to France and want to enjoy the Beast!! Edited by Rich Seaton on Wednesday 11th July 00:03 Edited by Rich Seaton on Wednesday 11th July 00:04

[tractorboy]

Bonjour, keep an eye on your fluids if you think there may be a small leak, the Griff expansion tank can sometimes look half full even though the engines empty, beware!

[Driller]

Thanks Hans, I have had to top it up (expansion tank) more than usual recently because I think the engines getting hot and blowing it all out. What I'm really worried about is what's going to happen on a hot day if it's doing this on a cool one! The oil level is at 3/4 and I'll top that up today-have heard this can help. Driller Ice Blue Griff500

[apache]

sounds like a stuck thermostat

[Driller]

stuck the oil in-made a very slight difference. Big rubber hose on the left definately oozing, question is:is it doing this because hose is stuffed (looks OK) or just 'cause the hot water has to escape somewhere? Apache, good point I guess it could be half open or something but I can't do that myself so it'll have to wait 'till Blighty. Weather and roads are great though as was blowing away someone in a 206 who decided it would be a good idea to drag away from the lights Looking forward to Saint Emillion... Driller Ice Blue Griff500

[Brm Brm]

I assume whoever retarded the ignition knew what they were doing - seems a bit of a coincidence to me so might be worth double checking. Did you change to 95 RON petrol at the same time? - could make a difference with changed ignition settings. If so, chuck a can of octane booster in and see if that makes a difference. Oozing top hose might also account for it but not if its only oozing. If the leak is significant at high revs/temp (run it up and rev it with the engine hot while watching from a safe distance) then the pressure loss from the leak could be the answer. Best to change the hose and clean up the radiator union anyway in case it is on the way out. Could also be the thermostat as suggested below - try running it with the 'stat removed. If its none of these, things could start to look a little more worrying......

[Saturn 5]

So will insulating the motor from engine heat solve the problem. Has any one tried this effectively. I have never had a failure to start yet, but was thinking of doing this.

[Saturn 5]

Sorry i put that question in the wrong place, oops wot a dummer

[Driller]

Thanks for the info BB. However I'm a bit of a rookie at this. I have the bible with me but it doesn't say where the thermostat actually is so could you (or someone) enlighten me. Also I started the car from cold and the right rad hose became hot when the temp guage hadn't even moved (50C)after about a minute-confirms thermostat stuck half open? Thanks again for advice. Driller Ice Blue Griff500

[tractorboy]

Follow the top hose from the expansion tank to the right just above the distributor..the hose is joined to the thermostat housing by a jubilee clip...the thermostat housing is atatched to the engine block with a couple of bolts 13mm ? undo to remove housing and reveal thermo. You need a gasket to replace the original if it gets torn or damaged . My Griff gave me symptoms earlier this year of a dodgy thermo which turned out to be a dodgy temperature sender instead(located at the bottom of the expansion tank with 2 wires running off it) which wasnt turning the fans on hence the boil up..are your fans kicking in? as this could be something to look as well...anyway..enjoy your holiday!

[Driller]

Cheers Hans, found it thanks to your directions. My fans come on at 80C and stay on so definately not them that's the prob. I think a combination of thermostat stuck half open not allowing enough water through to the radiator combined with leaking hose (which I just can't fix)letting pressure out of the system is the problem. Now how many barrels of Saint Emillion can I get in the boot...? Driller Ice Blue Griff500