jacckk

Active Member
Today since it was hot I left the car idling in Tesco car park with the air con on since my girlfriend and the dog were in the car. When I got back the temperature gauge was slightly past 12o'clock. It's never been anywhere past 12 before. As soon as I got back in and drove off it went back to 12.

I'm thinking I should buy a new rad since my old one appears to be original. Does it sound like it could be an old/silted up rad?

Additionally I have never heard the condenser fans come on. Could these cause the temperature to rise slightly if they weren't coming on? Is there any way to test them?

Car is a 4.6 GEMS
 
Check my thread 'Radiator Advice'. Had exactly the same problem. Fitted a brand new radiator today and now all sorted; if anything it sits a fraction below 12 oclock.
 
Does sound like a your water works are a bit restricted, before spending a lot of money on a rad, you could check your thermostat is working correctly - had the same issue once on a V8 Range Rover Classic.
 
If left idling with aircon loading the engine there will be minimal airflow through the rad and minimal coolant circulation. If the temp did not rise a little it would be a miracle. As long as it drops to normal when on the move I can't see a problem.
 
I would expect the aircon fans to operate in those conditions and maybe the viscous fan is not locking up fully, but if it only went a little past midway I can't see there is much wrong. You could fit my aircon fans mod to help.
 
A/C Condenser fans should come on with A/C on to aid cooling....they can be quite loud so easy to hear!

Check they work with a direct Live feed to them!
 
I have never seen or heard my A/C fans switch on since ownership and from what I have read on the topic it would be unusual in the UK climate for them to operate ?
 
A/C Condenser fans should come on with A/C on to aid cooling....they can be quite loud so easy to hear!

Check they work with a direct Live feed to them!

When the aircon fans come to aid cooling they only work in series at low speed.
 
Not so, operation at full or half speed is pressure dependant and that depends on temperature. Too much Sangria:rolleyes:

For Aircon operation yes. But not when being used for engine cooling assistance. When they run in series at half speed.
 
That would be on the V8? If so, it's bloody stupid.

On the v8, if the cooling system is in good nick (clear rad, working pump, viscous coupling, fan, thermostat, secure hoses) and the engine is good (no h/g probls, slipped liners, cracked blocks), would never need additional fans for cooling. A big ask, admittedly. :cool::boxing:
 
On the v8, if the cooling system is in good nick (clear rad, working pump, viscous coupling, fan, thermostat, secure hoses) and the engine is good (no h/g probls, slipped liners, cracked blocks), would never need additional fans for cooling. A big ask, admittedly. :cool::boxing:

Makes you wonder why they have had this feature as standard from day one then.
 

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