Guest Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Hello folks, Having put some more miles on the car this summer, I'm starting to get more used to the car and it's typical behaviours although there's one i'm particukarly intersted in. When up to temperature the car will seemingly run at 100 degrees. At least that's what the guage on the dash would seem to indicate. Is that normal for a Duratec car? Seems quite high to me versus other cars I've driven. The other thing I've noticed which could be related is that once up to temp my cooling fan comes on and stays on pretty much the whole time. I can drive it quite casually and in favourable conditions without traffic and with good air passing over the radiator and yet seemingly the fan stays on. Is this normal or is this indicative of the car running too hot? If it is running too warm, what things could I look at? Thanks Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBL Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 I'm no expert, but it sounds warm to me. I recently drove my Duratec-engined 7 in mid- to high-30s temps all day long, and the coolant temperature gauge only went over 80 on an uphill no passing section stuck behind an older woman doing 25 mph maximum. After passing her, went back to 80 fairly quickly (still uphill, and still a very hot afternoon). Also, my car has a Modine oil/coolant heat exchanger, which only serves to introduce that much more heat into the coolant. Sorry that I can offer no insight into what might be potential causes. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 I'm guessing your running the OE Ford stat which is a 95 degree, most Caterham Duratec run the 82 degree non electric version from RaceCo or Burton and at high RPM you find it cools off due to high water pump speed, if tracking the car look to use an oversize water pump pulley too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Thanks both for your suggestions. My car also has an Oil/coolant modine which I guess could exacerbate the issue. Interested to hear about the 82 degree Stat. With it being mechanical and not electrical, is there any need to do any electrical changes or is the ECU happy enough without any further changes? I take it the thermostat is a like for like swap in the same location? It's on the inlet side of the engine just below the air inlet plenum is it not? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FramerateUK Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 That does sound a bit hot. My Sigma 140 kicks the fan in around 90 deg and cools to around 80 deg before switching off. The only time I've seen it rise to above 100 was when the fan contacts became corroded and the flaming heat of the M6 in rush hour caused the needle to venture into the red. Once the contacts were clean it was fine again. Not a huge help for a Duratec powered car, but I thought I'd post since you at least get an idea of how the fan should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Hi Tom. Some E.C.U. s have the ability to control the fan, may be worth checking yours, and an 82 c thermostat would seem to be a good idea if your presently running a hotter type. Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Also bear in mind that if your running a conventional dash (ie not Stack) the CC gauges/ senders aren't famed for their accuracy or reliablity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brown Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 The fact that his fan is running almost continuously suggest that the gauge is correct and car running hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birkin S3 ZA. Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 I run the 82 deg and it says between 80 and 85 even on track, the Ford Rangers are fitted with them as standard where do you think burton get them. I also run the under drive pulley set so flow at idle can be a bit slow, when the fan comes on if I increase the revs you can see the gauge drop back and the fan cuts off again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Right, looks like I need an 82degree stat then. I'm still none the wiser as to whether it's simply a straight swap or not though, could someone advise. Also, if it's where I think it is then access will be a pain. Any suggestions on access? Thanks, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Assuming your running with the OE stat and NOT using a Raceline top water rail then the stat is located behind the water pump, in the block on the inlet side you will need to unclip the return water hose and the heater return hose, housing is then held with 3 bolts. Pretty straight forward and no bleeding issue on rebuild either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 That's great thankyou, it's where I suspected then. Might have to access it from below in that case as the input plenum is right in the way. I'll get one bought then and swap it over. Will report back with findings at a later date. Thanks Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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