Engine: 70: temeprature guage rising quickly

[sweaty1971]

Hi, I'm new and thanks for letting me join.

I have an X reg Volvo V70 2.4 petrol. I hadn't driven it for 6 months but got it back on the road recently. The temperature guage seems to rise quickly after about a mile to halfway. Is this ok? The coolant level hasn't dropped and it's had a new oil and filter change. Thanks!

[fil3337]

Yea that's perfect what you Want .

[Coventry]

The difference you're noticing may be because 6 months ago the ambient air temperature was considerably cooler and the engine would have taken longer to reach operating temperature.

I notice the difference with our cars.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Coventry

The difference you're noticing may be because 6 months ago the ambient air temperature was considerably cooler and the engine would have taken longer to reach operating temperature.

I notice the difference with our cars.

Totally agree.

[sweaty1971]

Thanks, just a bit worried!

[cheshired5]

Because the gauge stays rock solid at the 12 o'clock position when it's up to temperature, I'd only worry if it goes past that point or doesn't achieve operating temperature.

[oragex]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Because the gauge stays rock solid at the 12 o'clock position when it's up to temperature, I'd only worry if it goes past that point or doesn't achieve operating temperature.

As a side note, a thermostat can be stuck open with the gauge still reaching and staying at 12 o'clock position, it will just take longer to warm up, yet the real coolant temperature will not reach the optimal range, despite the gauge showing so.

[Simon Jones]

The gauge reading will be proportional to the coolant temperature, so if the thermostat is stuck open the average temperature will be lower and so will the reading.

Many manufacturers intentionally damp the gauge so you can't see the normal variations in coolant temperature. Often by the time you see it creep out of the normal range, the engine is already on the way to overheating.

[Georgeandkira]

To sweaty1971: I forget what year corresponds to X reg. but I know it's older than 2002. Ascertain the age and condition of your coolant.

Remember: It mightn't freeze but after "the 5 years" (many people advocate 4) your system will have no corrosion protection.

It would be horribly wasteful were you to loose a heater core or radiator for want of simple coolant refreshment or thorough system cleaning. Kira

[oragex]

It's true about the temp gauge not displaying a certain variation of coolant temperature. It also works in the 'not warm enough' way. I had my thermostat not fully closing - not by much, but enough for the coolant to continuously circulate through the radiator and never getting to the 90C normal temperature, yet the gauge was right in the middle even though it was taking longer to get there. Actually, often times an old thermostat will start failing by not fully closing as the small rod inside gets covered with deposits.