Hi all, I tried searching a few times but I did not find anything which explains my issue. I have a 1996 Ducato 2.5 turbo diesel and the temperature gauge only rises upto around 70 to 75 degrees when the engine is at operating temp. I have put in a new temperature sensor, fully flushed the cooling system and refilled with new coolant and also tried a replacement dash to no avail.
Anyone any ideas on where to look next?
hi bricey. i have same year same engine same model and i thought i had same problem but if you go for a run say 5--6 miles then put your heater on its HOT likewise if you lift bonnet and and test temperature of top hose with thermostat you will find it reads possibly 10 degrees higher then dash gauge. best way to test is find a really tough climb like you would find the passes in the alpes or pyrennese (done them all) sort of first --second gear stuff that drags on for mile after mile then you will see the temperature rising and the rad fans cutting in at90-95 degrees and the temp still rising to 100 c+ but never boiling. THEN you know your temp gauge is working. so in the light of my experience i wouldnt worry about it im sure it will be fine. not many of us left great engine secret is drive them hard keep the revs up ( im assuming it is the fiat engine) change down early dont let it drag on in high gear at low revs. big tip for better performance change where the air intake is located move it so its a ram effect amazing the difference it makes.if you where anywhere near northeast could have got together for exchange of information and so on. cheers mate hope this helps.Hi all, I tried searching a few times but I did not find anything which explains my issue. I have a 1996 Ducato 2.5 turbo diesel and the temperature gauge only rises upto around 70 to 75 degrees when the engine is at operating temp. I have put in a new temperature sensor, fully flushed the cooling system and refilled with new coolant and also tried a replacement dash to no avail.
Anyone any ideas on where to look next?
hi corcai. i will do my best to explain when i first got my van ( 1996 2.5 tdi ducato with fiat engine swift U shaped lounge body.) i was not impressed by performance fifth gear had no guts i would change up between 50-60mph on flat and the speed would drop so i would change down and start all over again.anyway i started to investigate firstly cut carpet under throttle so full travel next adjusted throttle cable at pump made sure there was no slack on cable and so on/ this made some slight improvement. i ran it like that for a while but i was still not happy felt as if engine was been restricted some how any way whilst touring in france i decided to have another look, and i noticed the air intake air flow came in via the cross member at front of motor and i thought that was a very restricted route for the air flow, so i removed the large hose from the unit connecting it to the cross member and left it loose facing forward just above the radiator approx where the small gap between bonnet and crossmember when bonnet closed so it acted like a ram effect. bloody hell the result was amazing went through gears faster got into fifth gear and it would hold it their even increase speed slightly on inclines change down from fifth to fourth at 60-62 mph and would fly up inclines change back up at 64mh to fifth and van would run on flat even slight in clines at 70- 75+ no problem.. so since then have modified by cutting hole in bonnet placed fine mesh on undersideDid you make a scoop for the intake would be interested to see what you did. The existing intake is good at keeping moths flies bees etc out of the air filter I suppose a scoop would need a mesh grille to do the same.
continued i then bought a plastic air in take unit that went on the front of the bonnet to cover the hole and the mesh type of thing you get on a subaru. i have now run with this system now for 3-4 years all over europe lots of climbing in the alpes-- pyrennese and so on also italy--- austria ( a few hills there )as i follow the cycling grand tours etc i drive it hard change down early etc runs on flat 75-80mph i always run full load plus scooter and a cycle on back ( upgraded springs ) goes like bat out of hell. 95000 on the clock uses no oil or water, so i am very happy with my 20 year old bus (no name) hope i have given useful info and dont sound like a knowitall arsehole if so i apoligies.Did you make a scoop for the intake would be interested to see what you did. The existing intake is good at keeping moths flies bees etc out of the air filter I suppose a scoop would need a mesh grille to do the same.
hi bricey. i have the swift royale 610 if you are thinking about doing the air intake conversion i puscased from EBAY following--- air flow intake scoop---bonnet vent cover hood. from the grills meshes vents section. but before cutting any holes in bonnet i suggest moving air intake hose from front cross member and just direct it facing forward placed just above radiator roughly were the gap between bonnet and cross member is just make sure you have air filter fitted so no debri can enter turbo to damage fins. if you get better performance then you could go ahead fitting mesh and bonnet air scoop. i will try and post photo but not to hopeful.Thats a great piece of advice, do you have any pics of the intake you made? I'm in Northern Ireland or I would come and see your van, it sounds similar to mine, Swift Royal 630.
