Running Temperature

[gavhowe]

Hello,

I have resently had to change the coolant/antifreeze in my Terrano due to it freezing as previous owner had put the wrong % in. Before this the temperature gauge would read about 1/3 if you drive it hard it would be just below half.

When changing the antifreeze I put a new Thermostat in, This one was a 88 degree version and not a 82 degree as per what was in it before. The temperture gauge now sits just below half and rises just above half if you drive it hard.

First of all is this normal for the different thrmostat (running temperture)??

Secondly I have just come home from towing a 2 tonne trailer 150miles on the motorway. The temp would sit at normal until there was a small gradient then it would rise to just over half. On one long hill it rose to 2/3, i was sat at 55mph up the hill, and about 13 degrees temperture outside (it was only the M1 from Nottingham to Northampton so not a hugh hill 3.5miles long the sign for the truck said).

I am not sure if the viscous fan is working, it spins freely when cold, but have not heard it. At what temperture reading could people hear the fan "roaring".

Or does it sound like time to replace the water pump.

 

[Ogri]

Hi gavhowe,

If it's any help at all my 2.7TD sits at about 1/4 on the temp gauge most of the time but does rise when under high load (towing up hill) - sometimes alarmingly but if I back off the throttle just a little and take a lower gear, the temp stays pretty cool.

The 82deg/88deg is the temp at which the stat opens and the water starts to pass through the radiator, so no surprises that the 'normal' temp is now higher up the gauge as the cooling is not beginning until the water is hotter.

The viscous coupling on the fan is not directly related to the engine/water temperature - normally you hear them making a noise when the engine is cold and mine goes quiet after only 100 yards or so.

Your car seems to behave much like mine so either they're typical of the breed or they both have the same problem - hopefully someone will be along soon to tell us which!

Hope this is some help.

Ian.

 

[Toolbox]

I have not long changed my thermostat for a 88deg and my gauge is sitting just bellow the half way mark, rising to halfway or just above when working hard, have yet to tow any distance with it, so cant say what its like on long hills.
I must say the engine seems to run smother with it being a bit warmer, just waiting on the hot summer days to see what its like then.

What condition are your radiator fins in gavhowe? I know on my old T2 the fins were falling out and the temp gauge would rise up with no fan noise, when the rad got changed I could hear the fan roaring more often, I take it this was due to a better hot air flow over the viscous coupling from the new rad.

 

[grummpyoldgit]

Hi Guys
Have the same symtoms when towing.Had to have a water pump fitted by the local Nissan (ROB DOG) dealer last summer,due to mine deciding to leak 4 days before a long haul down to Cornwall.I put a new themostat in.
The gauge sits at about 9 oclock or just below on normal running. The thermostat opens at just above this and drops down to just below.
On long drags i've had it go up to 11oclock only to drop back again when i level out.
Ive read threads on here where people have changed the rad,but this is an expensive option if as you say it seems a common thing with the T2.
By the way I went back to the dealers and told them it was running hotter,He said it was because they'd filled it with nearly new anti freeze?

Kevin