#1: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:22 am ---- I recently bought yet another Peugeot 206 1.4 LX (2001) as a home project to learn how to repair and service cars (novice home mechanic) and have noticed the following.
The engine temp gauge never goes above 1/5th. In otherwords, it always stays cool. This is even after a good run and then letting the engine idle for 20 minutes immediately after.
I can understand the gauge staying quite cool when at speed, but even then it seems a little too low. It does move, but as I said, not very far.
What I am concerned with is that the coolant is not being injected at the correct time and that the engine might get damaged if it begins to get too hot.
1. Are there failsafe sensors to detect this type of problem?
2. If there are fail points that could cause this, what tests can I perform to identify possible issues.
3. AOI - any other ideas..
There are no faults being reported from my OBD reader.
Thanks!
SR
#2: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: Gazza, Location: OSWESTRYPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:35 am ---- sounds like your thermostat has been taken out for some reason
#3: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:59 am ---- Hmm, ok. I am not sure about that, but I will check tonight when I get home. Worth a look. Might be that it needs replacing. They are pretty cheap so I might replace it if I can't find anything else wrong.
Thanks,
SR
#4: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: V9977, Location: Athens, GreecePosted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:24 pm ---- Check with PP2000 for the engine temp reading.
2001 1.4i will be non-mux and has seperate sensor and circuit for the gauge.
It's very inaccurate -/+ 10 C and the gauge motor itself could be up the creek too.
It usually is thermostat though so check that first.
#5: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:26 pm ---- I did temp sensor on mine & then found the thermostat was faulty to so had to change that aswell
#6: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:17 pm ---- Start car from cold.
Allow to warm on idle regularly checking top hose temp by hand.
If it warms gradually the stat is stuck open or not fitted.
If it gets hot suddenly the stat exists and is opening at a set temp.
However, stats get weak with age and often open early.
They are cheap - just change it (especially now winter is approaching) and get 2-3 more mpg.
#7: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:19 pm ---- V9977 where do you get PP. I have looked everywhere and either the links don't work or it is expensive.
#8: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:22 pm ---- You can use a multimeter IF it has temp function on it OR use a infra red thermometer if you have either of these in your tool box.
#9: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: V9977, Location: Athens, GreecePosted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:22 pm ----
kandlbarrett wrote:
V9977 where do you get PP. I have looked everywhere and either the links don't work or it is expensive.
#10: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:57 am ----
kandlbarrett wrote:
V9977 where do you get PP. I have looked everywhere and either the links don't work or it is expensive.
The Peugeot Planet / Citroen Lexia software isnt actually a problem as you can download it FREE if you know where to look, its the correct Planet / Lexia diagnostic leads that cost the money & you cant install the software without the lead.
#11: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: iSamTz, Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 12:54 pm ---- You should be happy, At least your cars not over heating, not that you'd know if it did!!
#12: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: V9977, Location: Athens, GreecePosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:25 am ----
MrBSI wrote:
kandlbarrett wrote:
V9977 where do you get PP. I have looked everywhere and either the links don't work or it is expensive.
The Peugeot Planet / Citroen Lexia software isnt actually a problem as you can download it FREE if you know where to look, its the correct Planet / Lexia diagnostic leads that cost the money & you cant install the software without the lead.
I've never seen an interface come without the software.
#13: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:32 am ----
V9977 wrote:
MrBSI wrote:
kandlbarrett wrote:
V9977 where do you get PP. I have looked everywhere and either the links don't work or it is expensive.
The Peugeot Planet / Citroen Lexia software isnt actually a problem as you can download it FREE if you know where to look, its the correct Planet / Lexia diagnostic leads that cost the money & you cant install the software without the lead.
I've never seen an interface come without the software.
I've got the software, just no interface YET
#14: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: gazza82, Location: South BucksPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:12 am ---- Try aliexpress.com ... and search for pp2000 ... I got one for £62.19 inc del from HK back in March. depends a lot on the exchange rate.
#15: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 2:20 am ---- My new thermostat should be arriving today, but I have just noticed something else odd happen. The gauge stays very low like I said, but today on the way to work, the temperature gauge suddenly flew into the red out of nowhere and I read off code P0115 from the OBD.
I didn't think the two components were linked with regards to their individual circuit. Functionally, sure. Could this now mean that the coolant sensor is faulty also? Seems a bit of a coincidence.
My cooling fan doesn't come on, but I have assumed that is because of the thermostat probably being stuck open.
Could the thermostat have suddenly stuck closed? I didn't notice the fan coming on either so I am not sure about this.
I am also starting to suspect the earth, as I am sure there could be some corrosion in this old baby.
So, to summarise, here are my problems:
1. Gauge stays very low (except suddenly this morning as I was pulling into work)
2. Fan never comes on
3. After about 35 miles the performance is a little erratic
4. Today, the gauge flew into the red and car logged a P0115
(the engine didn't seem abnormally hot)
Any ideas as to where I should focus?
I am planning on seeing how the car is after I have replaced the thermostat but if I should check things asap then suggestions would be cool (excuse the pun).
#16: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 2:23 am ---- P0115 = Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Malfunction
#17: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 2:38 am ---- Yeah it's why I am starting to suspect the earths. It would be a bit of a coincidence for both the thermostat and the coolant sensor to die at the same time.
I am quite sure the thermostat is dud, because the radiator hose gradually gets warm instead of suddenly when the car is idling, and the fact that the gauge is always low. The gauge does move when stuck in traffic, but then goes down quickly when driving along about 40mph.
As far I as know (which is not much) the coolant temp sensor would not go bad just because the thermostat is bad.
#18: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:12 am ---- The coolant temp sensors are a known weak spot
#19: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:10 am ---- Well, I tried to put a new thermostat on my car, which went ok. I tested it before I put it in the car and it opened up at 85c like it stated.
I made sure the thermostat went in the car correctly, e.g. spring going towards the engine.
The only thing I couldn't do was drain the radiator properly from the bottom. So instead, I just drained it out of the same hose the thermostat goes in.
That was probably not the right thing to do, because when I got the car warmed up, the coolant started spewing out of the coolant expansion container.
I am hoping this was because I failed to drain the coolant correctly.
Anyone able to give this novice (me) some advice as to where I went wrong?
Thanks,
SR
#20: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:12 am ---- Thermostat should come stuck to the housing as one unit that is simply bolted on.
Did you bleed the cooling system?
Turn the heater up to max heat setting, run the engine till the thermostat opens then bleed the air out the system using the bleed nipples.
#21: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:09 am ---- Hi,
Nope, I didn't bleed the cooling system. This is probably where I went wrong. Once I drained the coolant, I put the new thermostat in, filled up with coolant, and then heated engine. Nothing less, nothing more.
So it seems I should have bled the cooling system. Damn internet, everywhere I looked didn't mention to bleed it
Ok, I will be on the hunt for those bleeding nipples tonight then ;o)
SR
#22: Re: Engine Temperature Gauge Stays Very Low Author: SolidRegardless, Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:01 am ---- Well, finally got round to bleeding the system. Had a bit of a problem though initially! I tightened the bleed screw up a little too tight and the stupid thing snapped off.
Well, I quickly pulled off the bottom radiator hose again and then scratched my head on how to get the broken bit off. It was quite lucky actually that the snapped bit appeared to have a little hole in the middle, so I got a cheap little 50 pence tiny screwdriver bit and tapped it into the broken nut with a hammer. Turned it anti-clockwise and it came out very easily. Result!
Then a short trip to B & Q and I found a 6mm bolt that looked promising, albeit a little bit too long. I used my hacksaw to cut a bit off the end to make it the same length and used the original copper washer and it all fitted back nicely. Probably in a better condition than before because the new bolt I am using is much more tough.
The car now drives quite well. Then another, somewhat lesser problem, has cropped up. In fact I think that it existed before too.
When the car gets warm, about mid-range on the temp gauge, I notice the stop-light, oil-light and (!) light start to flash. It only happens when at a standstill. A little bit longer, the lights become more permanent. If I put the car in neutral, it goes away slightly. Whilst driving, it never appears. I notice that PP2000 reads that the engine revs are at about 700-750 RPM when idling.
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