vectra temperature gauge

hi all just bought a second hand 1997 vectra 1.8 ls
don't know of it's a problem or not
but the engine temperature gauge
anyone know what value this should sit at seems to sit top end of gauge
without SO FAR going off the scale
scale reads from 80-100 with red being a little above the hundred on the
dial
my car seems to run between 90 and 100 all the time when warm and sometimes
edging over the 100 at traffic lights etc

as an aside
I never got a user manual with the car :-(
does anyone know of anywhere online I could download and print one
or will I have to resort to me local vhaul dealer to buy one ?

thx for all and any help guys ( and girls )

 

how about a flush of the system

mike

 

yeah that's definitely an option
IF its a problem as I say never had a vectra before so don't know what
normal is
so at moment seeking advice on whether I have a problem
before I try to sort one I might not have

 

i'd certainly try it, an easy answer if it is!
i dont own a vectra but i do a sintra with 2.2 that trundles along quite
happily at always about 70deg

mike

 

As with most cars, the thermostat is set to open at 92degrees. the fan will
cut in at approx. 105degrees. There may well be some slight variation from
these figures, as this is only a guideline. The figures you have given
appear normal.

 

well i have a vectra 2.0 sri, around town (in traffic etc) the temp is
around 80-90 and has never gone above that, when going along the
motorway/bypass on my way to work it rarely goes above 80. the fan kicks in
at around 90-95

hope that helps

 

Jon, I don't wish to appear pedantic, but I have 30-years experience as an
engine tech. If your engine coolant stays at 80C, it is too low. There can
be some inaccuracies in the gauge and sensor, as these are only for driver
awareness. Cooler running engines will wear out much faster than those
running at the designed temperature. If you suspect the true temperature is
80C, I would recommend it is tested with a pyrometer.

 

I have a related problem, I have a '99 2.2 petrol Frontera and the guage
sits happily at 85 until prolonged idling. It then jumps up to high
nineties in the space of a couple of seconds and returns back to 85 just as
quickly.

Now I know that the head gasket has just been done, so I don't think it's
that, but when it jumps up the heater also goes cold, I'm thinking an air
lock in the system, anybody got any other ideas??????

 

"

as an update had a look at it for a bit yesterday let the water boil out a
bit
then topped up to see if I could let air out as suggested by someone
still idles high temp
fan comes on as needle passes the 100C mark
and goes off when temp comes back down to 90C
haven't took the car a drive yet since as I wont be taxing it till end of
week
not buying a months tax for a couple of day
yes I'm Scottish
but really from the conflicting advice given
still cant determine if I have a problem or not
I'll prob run it for a week or two with one eye fixed on the temp gauge
and if I still feel insecure about it or if it ever goes into red
I'll take it to be looked at
thanks though for all the help
I'm a newbie in here and have to say your a courteous helpful bunch of souls

 

Remembering that there are some slight inaccuracies in gauge readings. it
sounds as if A) the voltage stabiliser is defective, or B) the alternator is
overcharging. If, indeed, this problem occurs in a matter of a couple of
seconds, it is more likely to be a gauge fault, rather than a genuine
mechanical problem.
For anyone else who is concerned about overheating, there has been a number
of occasions when we have run Vauxhalls over 120C, without any problem. I
would NOT suggest sustained running at these temperatures however.
Many garages use non-contact infra-red pyrometers, which are extremely
accurate, and it shouldn't cost too much for them to confirm the true
temperature.

 

Well I've owned half a dozen vauxhalls, plus I've driven several
others, and the 'normal' operating temperature on all of these has
been between 91 and 94 on the guage : for example my 1.8 cavalier only
had the electric fan cut in about half a dozen times during the
100,000 miles I drove it!

My V6 Omega does reach above 95 & the fan cuts in; but only if I've
been on a long motorway thrash and then hit the back of a queue; but
that's the worst case Vauxhall I've ever owned.

So it seems to me your 1.8 Vectra does sound like it has a problem
with thermal stability; my first guesses would be either the
thermostat is not opening properly or the radiator is getting gunged
up. Does the internal heater work properly :do you get very hot air
out of the cabin vents after a few minutes?

 

Listen to Malcolm .... this is normal.

steveb

 

IME that completely stops the fan. Doesn't matter though, cos it also
drains the radiator

 

When I hit the back of a motorway queue I never checked the temperature. I
was concerned about the condition of the front of my car and whether I would
ever get recovered off the motorway!

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

 

heater seems to be fine but haven't drove it much yet to firmly determine
one 70 mile run and couple of wee ten or twenty mile ones is all ive done so
far

 

thank you

 

I was waiting for somebody to say that ;-)....Yes I did manage to do
that once; hit the back of a Heineken lorry at about 5 mph with my
Carlton 3.0 12v estate :-(((. Written off & replaced with the Omega
2.5 V6 estate, which IMHO feels like a much slower car ( despite
similar bph) but the Omega does have a nice powerful aircon.

 

Excellent judgement - should have been just enough to release the tail-gate
locks

(sympathy re. the Carlton though)

 

Carlton 3.0 12v estate :-(((. Written off & replaced with the Omega

But not similiar weight

 

Yes....being a Real Ale drinker I thought hitting a heineken lorry was
particularly galling: whilst waiting for recovery about a dozen work
colleages drove past rubbernecking, including my boss; who then went
on to mention the incident later at a meeting in front of about 60
people. Still: nice to provide my coworkers with a cheap laugh.

I was tempted to buy back the Carlton from the insurers, but they
offered me significantly more than it was worth; and I needed a car
for commuting, so couldn't really spend weeks messing about. I do
really miss the low down torque of the 3.0 12v engine though ( it was
virtually impossible to stall, which was probably my downfall during
the heineken incident), and the double decker glove box you could
actually store stuff in. Don't miss thye lack of aircon though.