Classic Speedo & temp gauge

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stevema

stevema

Member
Posts
48
Location
Malta
Hi,

My RRC is a 1988 model converted from EFI auto to 300 Tdi auto.

The temp gauge never seems to go much above 1/4 even after an hour + driving. What would a normal reading be?

The speedo reads about 15km/h higher than actual speed.

The odometer does not work.

Not sure where to start as apart from the usual suspects it could also be a mismatch of parts due to the engine swap.

Any ideas please?

Thanks
 
Temperature should be about 12 o'clock. Buy a cheap DVM with a temperature probe and check the actual engine temperature, could be the engine is running cold due to a duff or missing thermostat. If the engine temperature is OK 80/90C, then it may be the sender if it's electric, miss match or faulty.
Speedo will be wheel/tyre size or miss match. Odometer will be faulty speedo head.
 
Needle more or less in the middle. (1986 3.5EFi).
Bonnet open start from cold & run up to temp. The radiator top hose should suddenly get hot as the stat opens. If it warms up slowly in line with the rest of the engine then either the stat's faulty or missing.
Common issue on conversions is a mismatch between sender & gauge.
 
I put a 200tdi in my 1989 model when the vm went west and adapted the vm gauge sensor to fit the 200tdi and it always ran colder than a cold thing on a cold day so maybe thats just how it is.
 
I will no doubt be castigated for daring to post such heresy, but the words RRC & diesel engine (of the same period) should never appear in the same sentence.
Now where did I put that old tin 'at ;)
 
norseman said:
I will no doubt be castigated for daring to post such heresy, but the words RRC & diesel engine (of the same period) should never appear in the same sentence.
Now where did I put that old tin 'at ;)
Click to expand...
As the cars mentioned have given their conversions something of a cool reception if not the cold shoulder they appear to agree with you.....
 
stevema said:
Hi,

My RRC is a 1988 model converted from EFI auto to 300 Tdi auto.

The temp gauge never seems to go much above 1/4 even after an hour + driving. What would a normal reading be?

The speedo reads about 15km/h higher than actual speed.

The odometer does not work.

Not sure where to start as apart from the usual suspects it could also be a mismatch of parts due to the engine swap.

Any ideas please?

Thanks
Click to expand...
As the engines run at different temperatures plus an 1988 RR cooling/heating system is different from the later models that left the factory with a 300Tdi engine, there will be a variation in temp shown in your vehicle, if it has retained the original RR kit, therefore as previously stated a mismatch.
If your worried about the position of the temp gauge needle, and would like it to move higher, simply change the sensor.
 
discool said:
As the engines run at different temperatures plus an 1988 RR cooling/heating system is different from the later models that left the factory with a 300Tdi engine, there will be a variation in temp shown in your vehicle, if it has retained the original RR kit, therefore as previously stated a mismatch.
If your worried about the position of the temp gauge needle, and would like it to move higher, simply change the sensor.
Click to expand...

I'd like to get a reliable reading so that if it starts overheating I'd be aware. Sorry to sound daft - then which sensor do I need?
Thanks
 
Ratae said:
As the cars mentioned have given their conversions something of a cool reception if not the cold shoulder they appear to agree with you.....
Click to expand...
I fully agree but can't afford to run a V8 as a daily... I tried and failed. I could get a Disco (which I also did) but vastly prefer the RRC.
 
stevema said:
I'd like to get a reliable reading so that if it starts overheating I'd be aware. Sorry to sound daft - then which sensor do I need?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Umm, we should start at the existing sensor, I believe there is of should have been a coloured ring around the top, the colour identifies the temp range, you may still have the factory spec sensor Tdi sensor and the V8 cooling is over cooling the Tdi but then u would have a poor heater.
I’ll have to go away and look in my books for sensor info... I’m a petrol person and never dealt with Diesel’s.

If you only interested in overheating then the temp gauge will still inform u of that, the temp gauge doesn’t actually tell u the engine temperature why take the present needle position as the norm, and if changes and goes up then it time to investigate.
Out of curiosity u could restrict the air flowing into the rad to see if the gauge needle moves up.

I’m normally in Sliema in May for a week or so, I have a few photos of the Disco’s I’ve see In Malta, plus newish RR but never seen a RRc. like yours :D
 
stevema said:
I fully agree but can't afford to run a V8 as a daily... I tried and failed. I could get a Disco (which I also did) but vastly prefer the RRC.
Click to expand...

I get around the consumption issues by just having the RV8 as a second car & classic car entrant.
Trouble is our 'daily' is a 21yr old 5series, so there's not a great saving :rolleyes:
 
discool said:
Umm, we should start at the existing sensor, I believe there is of should have been a coloured ring around the top, the colour identifies the temp range, you may still have the factory spec sensor Tdi sensor and the V8 cooling is over cooling the Tdi but then u would have a poor heater.
I’ll have to go away and look in my books for sensor info... I’m a petrol person and never dealt with Diesel’s.

If you only interested in overheating then the temp gauge will still inform u of that, the temp gauge doesn’t actually tell u the engine temperature why take the present needle position as the norm, and if changes and goes up then it time to investigate.
Out of curiosity u could restrict the air flowing into the rad to see if the gauge needle moves up.

I’m normally in Sliema in May for a week or so, I have a few photos of the Disco’s I’ve see In Malta, plus newish RR but never seen a RRc. like yours :D
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, will need to do some homework. There are still a few RRC around Malta though many were cannabalised for the V8 engines or hacked into off roaders.

Sadly I doubt anyone will be travelling in May this year but whenever you're over next do get in touch we'll go for a drive & a pint :)
 
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