2.0 8v coolant temperature

[Sim]

Hi! My brother bought a 93' 2.0 8v. After idling about 4-5 minutes the coolant temperature (and gauge) goes up to 3/4 (well above 90c). The fan is working constantly. Is that normal? As in motion again, temp goes back to normal (90c).

 

[ACH]

Well mine doesn't do that. It seems to move a mm either way of the normal centre position whether its been hammered to hell or sat cruising at low revs.
I've just replaced my coolant temp sensor, about 20 quid from the dealer and while your at it shot some new g12 coolant in if the old stuff is past its best ? Altho it is supposedly lifetime stuff I did it anyway.
Is the thermostat working ok ? is the bottom hose on the radiator getting warm/hot after 5 mins ?

 

[Craig!]

Thermostat problems?

 

[ACH]

Certainly sounds like it is'nt opening and the thing is just boiling up.....

 

[Sim]

Thanks for the tips!

The lower hose from the radiator is hot, so the thermostat seems to be opening. We hooked the car up to vagcom and checked the coolant temperature (in block 001).

The fan cuts in (i guess at speed 1) at 102C and cuts out at 98C. According to my haynes manual the speed 1 should cut in @ 92-97 and speed 2 @ 99-105. I think the fan should cut in earlier.

May it be the coolant temp sensor?
Or speed 1 is missing?

 

[james_mk]

Mine did this just before the head gasket blew.....

 

[Sim]

ouch

 

[Fl@pper]

is it a std bumper ?

and any aircon ?

 

[Sim]

Car is totally standard (even exhaust), 97k miles in clock. When the fan turns on, it cools the coolant down in max 30 secs (so it is not constanly on as first described). I got a coolant temp sensor somewhere (from a 98 1.4) which looks the same, we'll try that.

 

[Sim]

EDIT: no aircon