Thread: Temp Gauge Red Light came on!!

I had a very modified XR6 years back.
Was a track vehicle with rego.

In the midst of summer, driving in a spirited manner up into the hills the gauge would easily go to 3/4…

I had the dash in diagnostic mode (which allowed it to show actual temp in deg C.). Under hard load it would readily climb to 118c+ and stay there whilst being hammered.

Never had a problem.

Originally Posted by AK83

One exception I have experience with is 307 HDi(about 05-ish model)
I much prefer this system -> knowing is better than not knowing !

But you probably actually know that there are fluctuations in cooling systems, can you imagine the thousands of calls to dealers with the masses complaining that they have something wrong with their car, with associated bad press etc


IIRC, at least on the V8, Having had the ODBII dongle connected to read coolant temps, red light comes on when heat gets to 117°C(or thereabouts), so while it's hot, it's not head damaging hot for a short stint.

TD5 is the same , electric fan will come on , temp gauge will shoot up , red light will stay on even if coolant is no longer on the sensor and the gauge has dropped, engine cuts cylinders to try and save itself, it's a good system and I've seen plenty have overheat episodes with no ongoing issues.
The exception to this is engines with plastic head dowels, as an overheat can finish them off if they're getting on.

The only other thing , short of a monty python style hand coming out the dash and giving the driver a good slap would, as Tombie suggested , be a low coolant alarm.

There is hope for you.
I went through a Td5 overheat episode. I too lost some coolant but I had the temp gauge giving me an indication it was getting hot. It would cool while idling at the lights and only heat up under some load. Limped it to mechanic’s, changed pin holed hose, added more coolant and I watched it for a while until I knew we were going to be ok. Thanked my lucky stars and it has been good now for a couple of years.

Does a Nanacom give an accurate temp?
And is that still accurate under coolant loss?
Jonesfam

Julian, have you got the plastic reservoir still? If so it will fail, sooner rather than later. All plastic replacements are rubbish. Replace it with an Allisport alloy one, with a built-in level alarm.

Range Rover P38 v8, Discovery 2 v8 and late td5 header tank - AlliSport

Yeah get something like this from allisport

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Julian, have you got the plastic reservoir still? If so it will fail, sooner rather than later. All plastic replacements are rubbish. Replace it with an Allisport alloy one, with a built-in level alarm.

Range Rover P38 v8, Discovery 2 v8 and late td5 header tank - AlliSport

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Julian, have you got the plastic reservoir still? If so it will fail, sooner rather than later. All plastic replacements are rubbish. Replace it with an Allisport alloy one, with a built-in level alarm.

Range Rover P38 v8, Discovery 2 v8 and late td5 header tank - AlliSport

£248.00 Ouch!!
I am looking at a coolant level sensor for the reservoir.
Interestingly the gauge fluctuated between 79C to 53333.3C!! A dirty contact I think.
Still no coolant loss!

Originally Posted by Bohica

£248.00 Ouch!!
I am looking at a coolant level sensor for the reservoir.
Interestingly the gauge fluctuated between 79C to 53333.3C!! A dirty contact I think.
Still no coolant loss!

That's the top of the range, £174 for an unpainted, level sensor equipped one. They're not cheap but they are a mod free fit and will be the last reservoir you'll need.