Possible temp gauge issue?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Post Reply
User avatar
NightRider
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:15 pm
Location: Gloucester

Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by NightRider » Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:03 am

The gauge moves but seems to hover just above the C indicator even after a 40mile drive. Could it be a loose wire or dodgy sensor? where best to look?
also is it worth looking into getting an alarm to assist ?
any info welcome, very new to this.

thanks Chris
User avatar
dave_aber
Supreme Being
Posts: 2884
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 4:33 pm
Location: Elgin, Scotland

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by dave_aber » Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:04 pm

2.0 Petrol?
Image...Image
There are 10 types of people in this world.
Those that understand binary, and those that don't.
User avatar
NightRider
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:15 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by NightRider » Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:02 pm

No, 2.5 diesel
User avatar
dave_aber
Supreme Being
Posts: 2884
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 4:33 pm
Location: Elgin, Scotland

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by dave_aber » Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:07 pm

Not normal then (2.0 petrols do seem to run very cool)

What's the history of this - has it always been like that? Are you a recent new owner of this van? Do the heaters both blow good and hot?
Image...Image
There are 10 types of people in this world.
Those that understand binary, and those that don't.
al & chris
Tribal Elder
Posts: 743
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 10:33 pm
Location: Peak District

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by al & chris » Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:25 pm

Could be sender unit under drivers seat at front of cylinder head. Replaced ours as contact for wire on top had corroded . Other than that thermostat stuck open?
Gasy
Supreme Being
Posts: 2123
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:49 pm
Location: Peterborough

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by Gasy » Thu Mar 27, 2014 4:23 pm

Best bet is to fit a engine temp sensor
And a low level coolant alarm if not already fitted
And forget about the dash board temp

Speak to Haydn on here or search for his tm4 or tm2 alarms other Makes are available
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
User avatar
NightRider
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:15 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by NightRider » Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:38 pm

dave_aber wrote:Not normal then (2.0 petrols do seem to run very cool)

What's the history of this - has it always been like that? Are you a recent new owner of this van? Do the heaters both blow good and hot?

yes had the van 3 weeks. i think its always been this way. the needle did get to a about a quarter off C at one point but then settled just inside the gauge above the C
the heaters seem to work (air con) although blowers did seem cold ?
User avatar
NightRider
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:15 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by NightRider » Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:40 pm

Gasy wrote:Best bet is to fit a engine temp sensor
And a low level coolant alarm if not already fitted
And forget about the dash board temp

Speak to Haydn on here or search for his tm4 or tm2 alarms other Makes are available

thanks Gasy, will definitely do that. Are they easy to fit (not mechanically minded) ?
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22877
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by mikeonb4c » Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:47 pm

NightRider wrote:
dave_aber wrote:Not normal then (2.0 petrols do seem to run very cool)

What's the history of this - has it always been like that? Are you a recent new owner of this van? Do the heaters both blow good and hot?

yes had the van 3 weeks. i think its always been this way. the needle did get to a about a quarter off C at one point but then settled just inside the gauge above the C
the heaters seem to work (air con) although blowers did seem cold ?
The right questions from Dave. And your answers suggest someone may have removed the thermostat. If so, I'd expect heaters to give hotter air, and maybe temp gauge to rise, when vehicle does not have cooling air flowing through the radiator and/or or when ambient air temp is high (e.g. hot weather, stuck in traffic). Start moving along open roads, and both should fall back to a lower state
Gasy
Supreme Being
Posts: 2123
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:49 pm
Location: Peterborough

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by Gasy » Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:50 pm

Yes easy to fit esp if you use a piggy back fuse for power (eBay number 321088780930 )
Hardest bit is getting cables through into engine bay and front for the water bottle
Give people a shout on here and we will tell you how we did it
They really can be a engine / money saver
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
User avatar
NightRider
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:15 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Possible temp gauge issue?

Post by NightRider » Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:23 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:
NightRider wrote:
dave_aber wrote:Not normal then (2.0 petrols do seem to run very cool)

What's the history of this - has it always been like that? Are you a recent new owner of this van? Do the heaters both blow good and hot?

yes had the van 3 weeks. i think its always been this way. the needle did get to a about a quarter off C at one point but then settled just inside the gauge above the C
the heaters seem to work (air con) although blowers did seem cold ?
The right questions from Dave. And your answers suggest someone may have removed the thermostat. If so, I'd expect heaters to give hotter air, and maybe temp gauge to rise, when vehicle does not have cooling air flowing through the radiator and/or or when ambient air temp is high (e.g. hot weather, stuck in traffic). Start moving along open roads, and both should fall back to a lower state

yes Mike, that did seem to be the case. all ran well & smooth. i was just concerned as im aware most people do fit the additional alarms (so will i :D )
on the open road the needle hardly moved off the bottom of the gauge (in the main section) & in traffic i did get near the quarter mark. So if accurate i guess all is well but judging by the comments the alarms are an investment worth making to be sure.

cheers Chris
Post Reply

Return to “Techie Stuff”