What's a 'safe' temperature?

[Daveysplod]

Hiya,

just got a quick question for 'experienced' bongo owners!

I've got a 98 2.5L diesel auto tin top with pretty low miles - bought it at the end of last year. I've fitted a TM2 with the low coolant alarm, the temp sensor is installed in the recommended place round the back of the engine. When truck is warmed up the TM2 usually reads between about 88 and 90 - sometimes rising to 91 or 92 if it stops and idles for a few minutes at the end of a run. I have the alarm set at 95. I drive it gently - no choice with the cost of derv!

So, here's the question. I'm taking the truck on its first long run next weekend. Being Easter I think I can expect traffic jams, there's going to be motorway and city driving and its going to be loaded up - all these are firsts for me and truck and I realise could result in the temperature going higher than usual.

I wouldn't be surprised if the temperature rose enough for the alarm to go off - but at what sort of point would a rise in temperature start being a problem? I don't want to be panicking and hunting for places to pull over just because its running a little bit warmer than usual, but I certainly don't want to be ignoring a high temperature and cooking my lovely engine!

Okay, I know that every bongo is a bit different and I know there aren't any hard and fast rules on what is a safe temperature, but any guidance you can give would be very welcome indeed!

Thanks very much, davey.

[mikexgough]

The TM2 is an enigma regarding readings...... check with Widdowson what get gets.....PM him as he has done some stuff with cooling, don't use TM2 myself and my choice not to was based on the questions you asked.....

[mikeonb4c]

..of course if the suppliers were prepared to do a little customer club marketing and provide a place owners could register their findings over a range of conditions, then there might be somewhere you could at least begin to see what might be 'normal'. But since they are not....

Stirs pot and leaves room

[westonwarrior]

It sounds like the reading I get and I doubt it will go as high as 95, mine has only on a very hot day up a very steep hill
I would set it at about 99 ish

[haydn callow]

Everyone is entitled to their views on the worth or otherwise of all these devices.

It sounds as though your Bongo is running around the average of the data collected to date....Set your alarm to 100C....if it goes off at that..don't panic...I would start to get concerned if it went to 110C...

Of course if you are cruising along at 90C and it "SUDDENLY" goes up for no reason then I would stop and find out why....but if you are going up a long hill or going faster with a load or towing then expect it to rise a few degrees.

So the data to date shows...If you put the sensor as suggested ..expect to show 85/95C under normal conditions...add 5C to this when things are a bit more extream. and another 5 after you stop.

Your TM-2 will be showing the cylinder head temp and we belive that in the position suggested it is +/- 2C of the coolant temp at that point.

[Daveysplod]

Hey all,

thanks so much for the replies and advice. Its good to know that truck is running at around normal temperature.

The guidance to what readings I should expect in normal use, in more 'strenuous' use, and in an actual overheat situation is very welcome indeed. Now I know what to do if those readings start heading north!

Regarding the value of the TM2 - in my opinion its great insurance - more so now I understand it better. Its also reassuring - when I'm out in the truck I can just worry about driving it - I don't need to keep watching the temperature gauge all the time as I know that little electronic beeper will grab my attention if it needs me. I wouldn't be without it!

Cheers very much for your advice all!

davey.