Radiator leak and damaged condenser - confused.....

Ha, found the burning plastic smell, somehow a plastic bag (no idea how) got onto the exhaust manifold and melted there........!!!!!! Agggggggggh.

I will need to carefully chip it off. Looks like it is on the heat shield mainly.

What a pain...........

Still no leaks which is good news. Still not sure if the thermostat fails open then maybe the rad should be pretty hot. Maybe I have not driven it long enough yet.

If the thermostat is open it means coolant is passing through the Rad from the second you start the engine. It will take significantly longer for the engine to get to operating temp. With your new Rad installed cooling efficiency will be at it greatest.

Ok, here is an update.

I took it for a longish run today, started off in country lanes and after 30 mins the temp gauge was at the top of the blue section.
Then I gave it a belt along the dual carriageway for 20 mins and the pulled off into town traffic for 5 more, the temp gauge was at the top of the blue section at the highest point.
Then another 20 mins back home along the dual carriageway, gauge does not go above top of blue. At speed it drops off a little, up hill at 70 it goes up a little, but never gets into the white zone......

Rad is hot at the top, warm near bottom. Top hose hot and firm like a bicycle tyre, bottom hose and thermostat is warm, not hot.

Release the expansion tank cap, the pressure is released and the coolant level goes up a quarter inch.

What does all this mean? Thermostat stuck open? But surely it should be hot?
Sorry to doubt, also it is just an odd looking device compared to what I remember.......

Is it ok to drive like this? I need to do a 180 mile drive (each way) this weekend. Not sure I have time to swap the thermostat. Should I take the train?

Cheers again.

Just thought I would add, the rad was changed, the thermostat was fine before. Normal temp before was mid white zone pointing at 12 o'clock.