Am I cool enough?

[SilverZed]

I have the 2.2 engine in my Zed and although it heats up quicker than most cars I've had in the past the temp gauge always sits bang in the middle suggesting all is well. However I've noticed that even after a long run the rad is stone cold apart from the top couple of inches. Is this normal? I would expect the entire set of gills on the rad to feel hot to the touch. :-\

Cheers,
Deano.

 

[GazHyde]

My 2.0 guage always sat in the middle position, but I never touched the radiator so not sure... :-\

Have you checked the coolant is at the correct level on the header tank.

 

[Boysie]

Of interest
What made you check the radiator :-\

 

[Aceman]

I think this is quite normal, I remember reading something similar a while ago on .net and the great oracle that is Mike Fishwick posted an explanation as to why this was normal. I am sure someone who as an engineering degree could let us into the secrets of thermal dynamics and explain this phenomena.

 

[Frank.A]

My 2.8 is exactly the same.It is down to the alloy block and head being so efficient at dissipating heat.The radiator has a relatively easy time and is also very efficient. B-)

 

[SilverZed]

Have you checked the coolant is at the correct level on the header tank.

Yes no probs there. The red float is about level with filler neck.

 

[SilverZed]

Of interest
What made you check the radiator :-\

Ha ha I know what you mean but I just can't help it! I am an engineer and I have re-built engines, restored cars and built kit cars in my younger days. There's something wrong with me inside and I have to understand WHY things work! It's a curse! It's not good enough that it works perfectly - I need to know why!!! #-o

 

[SilverZed]

Having read enough about catastrophic bearing failures with our water pumps I reckon I'll change mine before the lovely hot summer arrives and while the rad is out a good old flush will hopefully convince me that all is well with flow through them gills!

 

[Titan]

I have to understand WHY things work! It's a curse! It's not good enough that it works perfectly - I need to know why!!! #-o

I know exactly what you mean
It must be something to do with our engineering brains.
As a kid I had a passion for taking things apart "to see how they worked"
When my uncle got an early video recorder I was banned from even touching it with the acerbic comment "Leave it alone, it's working at the moment" )

 

[SilverZed]

Well the new water pump is in ready for Summer yippee! At last I can give this engine some stick without the worry of my fan coming off and chewing up a few hundred quids worth of parts under the bonnet!

The old pump was actually in really good condition for nearly 70k miles though it did have a black composite plastic looking impeller as expected. No obvious deteriorating on the internals though and no play in bearings.

Coolant came out clean with no bits in. Didn't take rad off in the end as no need but I'm happy that it is not sludged up given the way the coolant came out and its condition. The aux belt was also in new condition with no signs of cracking at all so it went back on.

The new pump from Unipart...

http://www.partsforanycar-scotland....ooling+and+Heating~WHOP-CO~Water+Hoses,+Pumps

has a cast impeller. All works same as before with temp gauge sitting rock solid in centre and rad is still cool at bottom not really hot to the touch until near the top - guess its just the way it is then! As odd as it may seem to me. Ah well I'll just have to accept it then.

Hopefully no un-announced bearing failure induced fan detatchments for me