My car has been misbehaving recently as I previously posted. Once the fans were fixed, the temp gauge was still behaving in an unstable manner, so I have spent a few hours renewing the thermostats and also fitted a new water pump inlet thermostatic switch as the old one seemed to be coming on too late.

The most worrying temp symptom was the gauge rising on acceleration, not into the danger zone, but well above the N before dropping a bit and then stabilising above it.

Test run completed, gauge well below N and stable regardless of speed. Main fan cutting in when gauge at top of N. Perfect. I reckon the old 'stats were getting tired and not shutting off the bypass ports properly, and the thermo switch in the pump inlet that activates it in automatic had failed.

Pics below of my syphon setup to take the pain out of refilling the system!

 

Thanks for this topic. While my car is a AJ16 95 model, I have noticed that the needle is going up just a tiny bit above what it was before, always remaining left of N or right at it, but I bet it’s my thermostat getting tired. I think I replaced it 7 or 8 years ago, it’s probably time for a new one.

well either that or my spal fan aux is getting weaker. I hope not

 

Goodo Greg, another thing removed from that "to do" list.

My findings over the yeas is about 5 years stat life for a "normal" usage car.
Garage Queen, no idea.

This applies to most makes, as I worked in Auto Parts for too long, and stats were a common seller.

 

Thats one bespoke coolant reservoir you have there?

 

I have a bespoke cooling system, one of the best improvements I have ever made to my car. The attached explains it. Has to be a pre-ABS car, for space reasons, to fit it though!

 

OMG!
You are an artisan and its a work of art!