Engine Temperature Gauge Reading

[petejleonard]

Hi All,

I've recently bought my first Bongo (a 2006). From reading a few things on here I am a little concerned about the temperature gauge and wondering if there is any work I should just get done as a matter of course.

The temp gauge pretty much always reads cold, I don't think it has ever got above this yet. (though it has obviously been really cold and I haven't driven for much more than an hour).

Anyway, what is the best way of keeping an eye on this? I've heard of people fitting their own temp alarms or coolant alarms. Are there kits available to easily fit these? I check the coolant level every time I go on a reasonably long journey.

Thanks for any advice.
Pete

[rita]

What vehicle do you have, does the heater get nice and warm?.


Good Luck

[petejleonard]

What vehicle do you have, does the heater get nice and warm?.


Good Luck

2005/6 Bongo 2.0 Petrol.

Yeah, heating all works fine.

[rita]

You can get the temperature gauge modified or fit something like this, I would go for the latter.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIGITAL-THERM ... tR_mVmelgA


Good Luck.

[Bob]

There isn't the air lock/bleed issue with the 2ltr.

[Katka]

For a bit of peace of mind I fitted a coolant level alarm similar to http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Coolant-L ... 1c4be1080b. It was easy to fit. Couple of hours with tea breaks.
I also fitted a resistor -80p at Maplins - at the back of the dashboard to improve it's temperature reading accuracy. A little less easy to do but still only about hour's work. soldering iron needed.

[mikeonb4c]

What vehicle do you have, does the heater get nice and warm?.


Good Luck

Thats the first question that needs answering. And does the gauge move further up the scale when sat in traffic, dropping back again when on the move

[petejleonard]

What vehicle do you have, does the heater get nice and warm?.


Good Luck

Thats the first question that needs answering. And does the gauge move further up the scale when sat in traffic, dropping back again when on the move

I went out for a few hours at the weekend. Again, the air temperature was very cold (basically 0 degC) so I don't have any evidence of how it acts on a hot day yet.

Nevertheless, it sat on the very lowest reading (i.e. below Cold) for quite a while and gradually raised to about Cold.
It has never gone above that. The heat output from the heater seemed fairly normal, it has the digital control and I had it on 26 and was comfortable in the cab.

I'm happy to fix any kind of extra sensor and would be good to get the piece of mind.

[mikeonb4c]

If the heaters are running nice and hot then i think i'd start by looking at the electrics of the gauge, starting with measuring the electrical values (resistance of, voltage across etc) for the sender on the block. Hopefully a search for 'sender AND temp' might bring up an old thread with detailed advice or else someone might reply on this thread. You'll need a multimeter but they're cheap to buy. Out of interest, does the position of the needle on the gauge fall back when you drive on open roads and rise when you sit in traffic, as if so that might be a symptom of a thermostat not being fitted in the cooling circuit. But in that case i might have expected cabin heater hotness to fall and rise similarly.

[petejleonard]

If the heaters are running nice and hot then i think i'd start by looking at the electrics of the gauge, starting with measuring the electrical values (resistance of, voltage across etc) for the sender on the block. Hopefully a search for 'sender AND temp' might bring up an old thread with detailed advice or else someone might reply on this thread. You'll need a multimeter but they're cheap to buy. Out of interest, does the position of the needle on the gauge fall back when you drive on open roads and rise when you sit in traffic, as if so that might be a symptom of a thermostat not being fitted in the cooling circuit. But in that case i might have expected cabin heater hotness to fall and rise similarly.

Thanks. I have a multimeter at home so I can try and check all those values.

Out of interest, what is "normal" for the temp gauge to be showing? Does everyone elses sit nicely in the middle most of the time? After how long of driving to warm up? etc.

[g8dhe]

Provided its not been modified or has a "Mason" alarm fitted then 11:00 position after 10 minutes running.

[rita]

Personally I would also check the sender unit for a bad connection, and if you remove the feed and earth it you should get a full scale deflection on the gauge, this will prove the gauge. If all is ok I would change the Thermostat.


Good Luck.

[Ian]

About 10 minutes driving, it goes to the 11 o'clock position and stays there. At least it does on the diesel. (Beat me to it, Geoff)