car always runs hot

  1. Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 242
    #1
    hi, im new here just wondering any suggestions on this......

    i have a citreon saxo vtr 1998 but its always running on atleast half way on the temp gauge and on motorways when im in 4th or 5th it goes right the way up to the top but the light has never came on and strangely the engine instantly starts cooling down when i go down hill. thanks
  2. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #2
    It should not go right the way to the top,mine sits at 1/2 during normal driving & only goes up slightly when going faster.Possible causes are a faulty temperature gauge sensor,or the cooling system needs bleeding.Check these 2 things & let us know the results.
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064
    #3
    Also check condition of rad! It could just be old and a bit knackered/silted up!
  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Morpeth Posts: 2539 BMW 116d Regional Toner Sales Edition
    #4
    I had a VTR years back that did this, I was convinced the head gasket was on the way all the time as it would routinely fly between 1/2 and 3/4 during driving, and start nudging the top of the gauge in traffic.

    Head gasket was fine sadly, but the block had a hairline crack in it between 3 cylinders.
  5. Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 242
    #5
    thanks for all the feedback. i did flush the radiator myself about 10 weeks ago and there was all this brown gunk in the cap and in the radiator,maybe i caused an air lock, done the thing where you have all the radiators on full and start the car while squezzing the hoses when topping up so not sure its an air lock. i know the fan wokrs, maybe i do need a new radiator becasue i think theres a few dents in the fins, its fine if i boot it it just heats up quickly when in 4th and 5th and instantly starts cooling down when going down a hill.
  6. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #6
    are your heaters blowing out hot air
  7. Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 242
    #7
    yes they are.
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #8
    I would change the thermostat and temp sensor if I was you the go from there also change the rad
  9. Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 242
    #9
    ok ty, how much if i ask a garage to change thermostat and temp sensor?
  10. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #10
    if you supply the parts they should do it for like a 10er
  11. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #11
    also try bleeding it the correct way using the 3 bleed points http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80569
  12. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #12
    It's worth changing them yourself. If your going to bleed the system then get stuck in.
  13. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #13
    as said above I would do it yourself bud
  14. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #14
    Get a Haynes Manuel, will be a big help. Can be had second hand cheAp enough.
  15. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #15
    the guide i posted is near enough good enough search around and you will find pics of bleed points if you dont no them
  16. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a
    #16
    I was going to say, if you're just squeezing the hoses when you're bleeding the system you'll have an air lock.

    Use the above guide and undo the caps in order.