Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
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Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
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I've noticed recently it seems to be taking a lot longer for my temp gauge to get upto temp. It used to be upto 90 after about 5-7 mins gentle driving but recently I can be driving for 15-20 mins before it gets there.
I've also noticed once it's upto temperature if I'm sat in traffic it shoots up fairly quickly to about 97, fan kicks in but takes ages to get it back down again. Then on the motorway today I'd got it upto temp, got on the motorway, doing 70-80 and it dropped right off, down to the lower marking on the gauge.
I've thought it could possibly be an airlock but always thought with an airlock the gauge'll just drop off completely for a bit but heaters will still be hot. My heaters seem to work in stnc with the temp gauge so before when it dropped off, I tried the heaters and they were cool so I'm not sure it is an airlock but I can't think what else could be causing it.
Coolant seems fine, it's old but it doesn't seem to be contaminated.
Any ideas, it's an X12XE if that's any extra help to anyone 
[Edited on 05-10-2008 by Mike B]
[Edited on 13-10-2008 by Mike B]
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gavin18787
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Registered: 22nd Feb 05
Location: Basildon, Essex
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only thing I can think of is airlock like you said. Maybe take the cap of and let it boil over etc just to make sure there is no air in there and go from there.
Drives supercharged Tec with torque  
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Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
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Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
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Aye, I'll just have to give that a go then report back
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Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
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Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
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Right, was speaking to Mattk today at a meet and he asked could it be the thermostat stuck open?
From my training I seem to remember that modern thermostats tend to stick closed and it was older design ones that stick open, I can't remember properly tho it was a few years ago but it seemed to make sence when I was driving home.
The meet was just off the motorway so going home it was minutes till I was on the motorway, temp guage obviously fairly low. I stuck to 50 to try and give it chance to warm up but it wouldn't go past the first mark on the gauge (the sort of U shaped bit if you like). After about 15 mins on the motorway I got off and went along a dual carriageway, slowed down to 40 to see if that would help. Still wouldn't go any higher until about another 10mins later when I stopped at a set of traffic lights, it slowly started climbing then continued to climb whilst I was sticking to 30. Sped up to 40 again and the needle started dropping again 
Now taking that into account, what Matt said does make sense but can the thermostat stick open?
Sorry about the essay
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Kurt
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Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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normal driving mine will stick around the first notch.. infact hammering it wont go much higher.. but will go up whilst in traffic..
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Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
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Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Mine's always sat between about 88-92 usually dependant on outside temperature. It's just recently it's been playing up a bit
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Kurt
Member
Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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have you tried replacing the sensor in the bottom of the rad?
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Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
Premium Member
Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
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The heater seems to reflect what the temp guage is telling me tbh so when it's low the heaters are cold or maybe warm, but when it's nearly upto temp they're toasty warm.
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Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
Premium Member
Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Fixed it
Thermostat was stuck open slightly, I think it's been like that all the time I've had the car 
Thermostat opens at 92 degrees but since getting the car it's always sat at around 89 degrees. Got the new one fitted before then went out for a good drive, was out about an hour and half and once warmed up (took about 4-5 mins) it never went over 96 degrees (sat in traffic for a bit) or under about 91 
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