200tdi guage running hot.

Hi all, been a while since I was here but I have a problem or 2 that I hope the collective can help with. I have a 110 200tdi, recently had a small car run into my rear crossmember and caused a small amount of damage to the body work. Since the bump, the engine temp gauge now sits at the very far edge of the range just under the black line before the red, normally it would sit at half way. Engine temps are Block 65, Head 55, stat housing 72, top rad hose 42, all temps celcius. So are the engine temps normal and gauge gubbed or is there an issue with the engine.
Cheers

Engine temp sounds cool if anything

I thought it all seemed within the norm. So that would point towards the gauge then.

Or the sender.

Already replaced the sender mate and the reading is still the same.

Check the crash damage has not earthed out any other circuit which might affect the gauge.
Is there a plug you can disconnect the rear wiring from?

Had the car running on the drive today while investigating other issues, running stationary for 25mins gauge reading at just below half cabin heater a nice warm.....not the usual freezing, engine temps mid to high 40s then a short journey of 1.5 miles and the temp gauge was right back to the top of the white section on gauge, engine temps, 75 block and head, thermostat housing 82, rocker cover 55 at front 62 at back. It is definitely running hotter just stood on the drive I just can't think what is causing it. Any ideas?

Those temps are fine, my gauge sits about 2mm off the black section of the gauge.

Those temps are fine, 82 at the thermostat housing is okay the thermostat doesn't open till 88 anyway.

High 40's on the drive is not even warmed up

Cheers Flat, What concerns me most is the fact that it hasn't run like this for the last 18 months since I've had the old girl, never had a very good heater.....now some would say enjoy it, but any change makes me nervous!

Historicalgasman said:

Cheers Flat, What concerns me most is the fact that it hasn't run like this for the last 18 months since I've had the old girl, never had a very good heater.....now some would say enjoy it, but any change makes me nervous!

Click to expand...

You changed the thermostat of anything recently?

If your worried you can change the normal temp gauge for one with actual numbers on it. That's what I am going to do, just need to fit it!!

flat said:

You changed the thermostat of anything recently?

If your worried you can change the normal temp gauge for one with actual numbers on it. That's what I am going to do, just need to fit it!!

Click to expand...

Got myself a vdo temp gauge and had it fitted in an hour.......wow! They look amazing. So my engine gets up to the high 80's after 3 miles driving approx 7 mins, along my journey there are some hills, not big by any stretch, engine goes up to 100, then you see the thermostat kick in and temp drops down to just below 90.
What I have noticed is that with the lights or the heater blower switched on the temp gauge needle goes up by around 5 degrees......what could be causing this?

Historicalgasman said:

Got myself a vdo temp gauge and had it fitted in an hour.......wow! They look amazing. So my engine gets up to the high 80's after 3 miles driving approx 7 mins, along my journey there are some hills, not big by any stretch, engine goes up to 100, then you see the thermostat kick in and temp drops down to just below 90.
What I have noticed is that with the lights or the heater blower switched on the temp gauge needle goes up by around 5 degrees......what could be causing this?

Click to expand...

Poor earthing, probably gauge earth being shared with the same earth as lights / heater. Try a temporary cable directly back to battery -ve to prove it.

What he said bad earth point, clean up all the earths you can find

assume coolant levels are fine, my 200 never reaches 100'c, about 88'c then drops back down, I also fitted auxillary gauge and sender tapped into blank housing on the water pump because I was concerned at the position of the existing dial temp

Many thanks for your help one and all. Independent earth did the trick. Also removed the heater unit, flushed the matrix, temporary repair to the bulkhead and I now have a toasty defender and the temperature hasn't risen above mid 80's on today's journeys.....massively pleased with the warmth from the heater now.