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Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:25 pm
by bonglets
Drove all the way from Newcastle upon Tyne to Kent crossed chunnel to Calais drove 2 miles and the engine alarm came on at 101 cooland fine no low alarm on that, we have the Haydon dual alarm. Pulled over and after 10 mins engine off it went back down to 96 which is where it has been sitting most of the journey. Drove on and have done another 60 miles it went up to 100 couple of times but dropped again within a minute or so. Wondering if it is a thermostat problem??? Any advice will be most welcome. #-o

Thanks Liz

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:47 pm
by roosmith
You've got the diesel engine? Obviously you get to know your engine but mine often strays to the other side of 100 after a bit of work. My alarm is set for 105.

How long have you had he alarm for, is over 100 for you highly unusual? Whichever way it isn't so high it is showing a catastrophic failure of anything.

I'm no expert, I'm sure some will be along soon but I'd have thought keep and eye and do the usual level checks and you'll be OK to continue. Just stop if it gets higher but especially if the coolant level does drop.

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:16 pm
by bonglets
Thank you that is reassuring. This is our first long journey in the bongo thecalarm was fitted in January normally the temp shows 94 to 96 once she is warmed up.

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:22 pm
by Gasy
I'm the same my alarm is set to over 100
Does go over 100 on hills and towing caravan once in a while

But as said its the rise from normal temp to watch
If it's been working hard before the rise I'd not worry to much just monitor

But when I pull over I keep engine running and turn aircon on to bring extra fan on

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:40 pm
by dobby
I think the range 85 to 95 is often referred to as normal but much depends on where the sensor is located. Bought my Bongo in 2005 it overheated in 2006, I bled and ran it as normal for three years blissfully not noticing that it was running hotter and hotter and the head went in 2009 so I'd strongly suggested getting it checked over by a bongo friendly garage as it could be the stat, the pump or a sludged rad and money spent wisely now might save a lot of hassle later.

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:47 pm
by haydn callow
94/96 is rather high for normal running, even more so at this time of year when we have the cooler weather. I would suggest getting the cooling system checked out by a bongo friendly garage......this is assuming the temp sensor is in the recommended position on the back of the cylinder head.

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:18 pm
by bonglets
Thanks Haydn, we had the coolant checked by a bongo friendly garage before we left and the temp alarm was fitted for us as per the instructions. We were a bit concerned as it is cold at the moment and we want to use it in France where the outside temp can be in the 30s in the summer. We got the van in Dec and the temp has mostly been between 94 & 97 on normal runs in England. We are so grateful for this site and the advice offered.

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:09 pm
by haydn callow
bonglets wrote:Thanks Haydn, we had the coolant checked by a bongo friendly garage before we left and the temp alarm was fitted for us as per the instructions. We were a bit concerned as it is cold at the moment and we want to use it in France where the outside temp can be in the 30s in the summer. We got the van in Dec and the temp has mostly been between 94 & 97 on normal runs in England. We are so grateful for this site and the advice offered.
Suggest you find a bongo savvy garage to check the sensor is in correct position on back of the cylinder head, if it is, have cooling system checked out as that is running hot

Re: Engine temp alarm help please

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:48 pm
by bonglets
Thank you, we are going to give ourselves a few days to drive back so we can take it easy, and keep our fingers crossed.