Temperature gauge in RED zone...

[01alam]

...which is normally for loading and unloading only...

Hi there,

Potentially stupid question but nonetheless...

Driving home in the Granada (elongated Sierra), the temperature gauge rocketed to the top of "NORM" so stopped and turned off.

After waiting 10 minutes, turn the ignition to just electric and it jumps to above the RED.

Since home is about 1 mile away, I drove it there, no loss of power, no white smoke, engine bay was warm and coolant tank is full with just a small sizz when open.

Could someone tell me please:

1) Could it be the sender - so just wrong information? - the outside temp gauge is wrong, and the coolant temperature had always been too cold (near the N than the R)
2) Feels like the thermostat? - I full throttled it just before when it driving normally for about 3 seconds

Grateful for your help!

[ChrisT]

The white zone has always been for loading...

If there's no other signs of overheating I would first change the sender, usually a fairly easy job....

[fad]

Could be a connector come off and earthed

[01alam]

Thanks! I will check connector.

Just went out to turn it over, turns over fine and temperature now dropped - might not be sensor after all?

[fordperv]

For a start it might help if you tell us what engine is in the Granada if it's a 2.0 dohc be aware these are prone to hgf arond no4 cylinder, I would be checking the fans are working off the fan switch if the temperature is getting that high, are there any signs of water leaks anywhere? Might be worth when its showing hot checking the temp with an infa red thermometer

[01alam]

Hi. Thanks.

Yes it is the 2.0 DOHC.

No signs of water loss, mayo, bubbling in coolant tank or browning of coolant.

There is a leak somewhere though as it is producing smoke when droplets hit the exhaust, but have been diagnosed to be the sump gasket.

Good idea re the thermometer, my feeling is when I removed the radiator cap, the sizzling was way too little for an engine supposedly running so hot...and the coolant tank felt warm rather than hot - suggesting thermostat has closed.

More I think about it (feel free to correct), the car has always run too cold and indicated that the thermostat was forced open and now for some reason it has been forced shut.

[01alam]

Should also add that my commute is about 5 miles and I was about 3-4 miles into it, so the engine really hasn't reached working temp yet (judging by the fact that my Volvo (petrol) still hasn't reached mid temp by the time I get home normally).

[01alam]

Not mechanically minded, but had a look and found the thermostat housing and bought a thermostat, will fit and report back (hopefully tonight). Thanks!

[fordperv]

When the headgasket go on these its usually between water jacket and cylinder so the coolant burns off straight away, when you start the car from cold can you hear air bubbles moving through the heater matrix kind of like an indigestion sound?

By the sounds of it you may well be lucky, but definately run it up to temp to see if the fans kick in, if the fan switch is the same as a sierra one they kick in too late and by the time the 2nd fan has started your head gasket will be toast, you can get a lower temp switch from an mondeo diesel which should work if the Granada is the same as a sierra, if you pop a picture up I should be able to tell from that,

When your tightening the stat housing back up after replacing the stat don't over tighten as they like cracking

[01alam]

Thanks. I just changed the thermostat (should have done it when it's warmer outside and has light!)

Anyway not difficult but...Didn't solve the problem.

No coolant loss as per before but it still goes to the red bit even when left idle.

There was gargling noise now but that's because I just lost and topped up coolant that was lost when removing the housing etc.

Fan didn't kick in, but surely the coolant should keep it cool enough, none of my car's normally have the fan kicks in in the winter when moving (except for the Volvo's viscous fan).

Coolant is warm, but the engine oil looks hottish, with some steam when I shone a torch into the oil cap, but then it is 0c outside...

I am not entirely what it is now, another bit I forgot to mention, the dash has the yellow fan / radiator icon on, but that comes and goes...

[01alam]

Oh and it's the same DOHC 8V as the Sierra. Another bit, the coolant did cycle back to the coolant tank because I only added water and it came back pink. There is no drip (so not water pump?)

[01alam]

Damn, totally forgotten about checking the sender...d'oh. Will see where that is and get a new one.

[steveg]

Is the water pump working properly?
It's probably cold enough to freeze the coolant if the anti freeze isn't all that fresh so wonder if it might have messed the pump up.

[01alam]

Thanks, not sure how to check the water pump, but that's a thought. It liquid and not so cold here (definitely sure its runny)

[fordperv]

Nov 30, 2017 21:33:56 GMT 01alam said:

Damn, totally forgotten about checking the sender...d'oh. Will see where that is and get a new one.

The temperature sender for the clocks located at the front just under the inlet, just took a picture to help you, you will have to replace it with one with the same colour ring as the resistance is different dependant on colour, so it's worth looking before you try and buy one, any motorfactors should be able to get one



Here is the fan switch



Mine is from a Mondeo td which operates at a lower temp intermotor part number 50018 iirc

[01alam]

Thanks, that is so kind!

I have ordered one this morning, haven't ordered the fan switch but will do one at a time. Fan switch is the one by the thermostat housing by the looks of it.

Have a nice weekend!

[01alam]

I will take a pic of the parts if it helps someone who reads the thread in the future.

[fordperv]

Dec 1, 2017 20:26:03 GMT 01alam said:

Thanks, Fan switch is the one by the thermostat housing by the looks of it.

Yep that's the one

[01alam]

Thanks, just to report back.

Tried to change the sender today but turns out wrong parts given by GSF despite inputting reg and everything...

Anyway, unplugged it, remove battery and restarted, no RED zone now and 100% sure coolant is flowing.

Anyway, did manage to take a photo, please excuse the curse word quality, it was dark.

[01alam]

Mmm...how do you add a photo, will do when I get back on the laptop.