Aircon fan query

Had a quick look under bonnet. Coolant level is back to normal an is usual colour and smell.

Oil is not discoloured or reduced in level.

Losing the will with the car, managed to get it back from plymouth with the coolant temp gauge sitting central, had to slacken the expansion bottle cap off (no idea how tight it should be screwed on) to stop the system from over pressuring..

Symptoms seem to be, coolant levels are increasing in the expansion bottle when hot and goes back to normal when cold. Radiator is cooler towards the bottom than the top.

Hose from engine to rad(non stat side) is getting pressurised (still slightly squeezable but very firm, no leakages anywhere though)..

All of the heater hoses are getting hot, an there isnt a massive differential between them.

Only other differnces i can think, unsure if new stat is operable (will test tommorrow if not old one is fine). Dont remember seeing a bypass valve, there isnt one noticable on the old one. Radiator cowl isnt fitted currently.

Car has never gone into the red zone on the gauge, but the aircon fans have kicked in a few times previous to the fan replacement. Radiator was replaced last year with a new one, havent checked the baffles yet, but surely this wouldnt cause pressure in the one hose would it???


Heeeeeeeeelllpp please