theromastat problems vauxhall astra 1.6 8v auto

[markschap]

Hi, like others i have a problem with the temp gauge in my car, it constantly reads at zero until i stop in traffic or just have the engine running then it raises to about the middle. I have waited to see if the fan cuts in when getting hot and it does, needle only goes up to 70ish, does not appear to overheat at all. All the blowers work fine and it gives off heat great. I have read all the issues and i understand that itdoes need changing when i do the cam belt next, i have read tht some people put cardboard in front of the rad to help out????? Can i ask what would happen if i just left it as it is, i have no issues with heat and the fan cuts in as it should and does not overheat at all, i just had all the coolant changed today with fresh anti freeze. i have noticed that the gauge moves up a little when the heater is not on but only a little. Sorry to waffle on but first question i have written

[Panic Button]

I've had this problem on two Astras.

As the car is overcooling, you will find a load of mayonnaise gunk under the oil filler cap. The engine doesn't get hot enough in the winter to drive out the condensation.

I will get mine done eventually when I get the cam belt done.

For the moment I hang cardboard over the top of the radiator to partially block it, and I keep an eye on the temperature guage. On short journeys it warms up quicker and still doesn't get hot enough to totally stop the mayo.

The only time it has raised up at all was on a motorway journey, when we all stopped for a while. It didn't get high enough to start the cooling fan, and if it had I would have stopped to remove the cardboard.

[markschap]

thanks for that, should i put some cardboard in front then or leave it as the fan does cut in, am i loosing lots of fuel with it like that, i dnt know wot to do, also do i cover all or just partial radiator

thanks

[Toureman]

Astra I had was the same, blank off about 1 Quarter of the rad, might just be problems with the temprature sender, new ones are cheap.

[markschap]

ok thanks for the advice will do it tmw, is this just for the winterand then remove it in the summer months,

[Panic Button]

Yes, in the summer you don't want it covered.

I get a piece of card and tear a hole in it, which goes over a usefully placed plastic hook.

I do this to stop it dropping too low and becoming visible.
It is embarrassing if pedestrians can read the Rice Krispies words.

I also ensure that most of the area of the cooling fan is clear, so if it did get hot and cut in, it would cool down.

[Dave83]

There is a thermostat fix for this on eBay. It's basically a Renault 5 thermostat ( 83 degree opening temp) jubilee clipped into the hose coming off the original thermostat opening. Cured mine as I went through 3 thermostats in 2 months and changing them is expensive in their original position. Putting this in makes things easier and other thermostat stuck open isn't doing any harm. All good :).