Temperature gauge rising slightly

Today since it was hot I left the car idling in Tesco car park with the air con on since my girlfriend and the dog were in the car. When I got back the temperature gauge was slightly past 12o'clock. It's never been anywhere past 12 before. As soon as I got back in and drove off it went back to 12.

I'm thinking I should buy a new rad since my old one appears to be original. Does it sound like it could be an old/silted up rad?

Additionally I have never heard the condenser fans come on. Could these cause the temperature to rise slightly if they weren't coming on? Is there any way to test them?

Car is a 4.6 GEMS

Check my thread 'Radiator Advice'. Had exactly the same problem. Fitted a brand new radiator today and now all sorted; if anything it sits a fraction below 12 oclock.

Does sound like a your water works are a bit restricted, before spending a lot of money on a rad, you could check your thermostat is working correctly - had the same issue once on a V8 Range Rover Classic.

If left idling with aircon loading the engine there will be minimal airflow through the rad and minimal coolant circulation. If the temp did not rise a little it would be a miracle. As long as it drops to normal when on the move I can't see a problem.

I thought possibly the fan not fully locking up?

gfromleeds said:

I thought possibly the fan not fully locking up?

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Mr Doom and Gloom. Check out Wammers post and factor in the outside temperture

I would expect the aircon fans to operate in those conditions and maybe the viscous fan is not locking up fully, but if it only went a little past midway I can't see there is much wrong. You could fit my aircon fans mod to help.

A/C Condenser fans should come on with A/C on to aid cooling....they can be quite loud so easy to hear!

Check they work with a direct Live feed to them!

I have never seen or heard my A/C fans switch on since ownership and from what I have read on the topic it would be unusual in the UK climate for them to operate ?

Saint.V8 said:

A/C Condenser fans should come on with A/C on to aid cooling....they can be quite loud so easy to hear!

Check they work with a direct Live feed to them!

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When the aircon fans come to aid cooling they only work in series at low speed.

wammers said:

When the aircon fans come to aid cooling they only work in series at low speed.

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Not so, operation at full or half speed is pressure dependant and that depends on temperature. Too much Sangria

Datatek said:

Not so, operation at full or half speed is pressure dependant and that depends on temperature. Too much Sangria

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For Aircon operation yes. But not when being used for engine cooling assistance. When they run in series at half speed.

wammers said:

For Aircon operation yes. But not when being used for engine cooling assistance. When they run in series at half speed.

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That would be on the V8? If so, it's bloody stupid.

Datatek said:

That would be on the V8? If so, it's bloody stupid.

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Yes which is the car in question I believe.

wammers said:

Yes which is the car in question I believe.

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You still away Tony or having a bit of me time away from the grandkids?

Datatek said:

That would be on the V8? If so, it's bloody stupid.

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On the v8, if the cooling system is in good nick (clear rad, working pump, viscous coupling, fan, thermostat, secure hoses) and the engine is good (no h/g probls, slipped liners, cracked blocks), would never need additional fans for cooling. A big ask, admittedly. :boxing:

tomcat59alan said:

You still away Tony or having a bit of me time away from the grandkids?

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Still away Alan just killing time before tea.

kevwill said:

On the v8, if the cooling system is in good nick (clear rad, working pump, viscous coupling, fan, thermostat, secure hoses) and the engine is good (no h/g probls, slipped liners, cracked blocks), would never need additional fans for cooling. A big ask, admittedly. :boxing:

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Makes you wonder why they have had this feature as standard from day one then.

wammers said:

Makes you wonder why they have had this feature as standard from day one then.

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It was those lovely people at Land Rover covering all the angles with no expense spared