Technical Brava 1.6 Running Hot

[Steven]

I've noticed that my 2000 Brava 1.6 has been running hot recently. The temp is just over half way or sometimes it's 2 notches over. The coolant level is fine and I haven't been thrashing it. Any idea?

 

[flamatron]

Get a new Thermostat.?

 

[Deckchair5]

Need to work out if it is instrument or engine

INSTRUMENT
If it is the gauge does it act erratically ie jump up and then come down too quiickly for the engine temperature to change that much? Does it change when you thump the dashboard?
If it's the instrumentation then poor contacts to the connectors on the dashboard instrument cluster are a common fault. Could be water temp sender but they rarely go wrong

ENGINE
Does it smell hot? Overheating engines tend to smell. Is the heater hotter than usual? Is the rad fan kicking in sooner than usual or at all?
Can you drag the temperature down as normal by putting the heater and blower on? Could be clogged radiator.

Does it take longer than usual to warm up but then rises to higher than normal? If so then thermostat could be stuck.

 

[Helz]

Check the front of your car for crisp packets One was clogging up the front of the radiator and not letting cold air in and car kept getting hot.

 

[Steven]

Plenty to go on there. Thanks for that guys. I'll try and narrow it down.

 

[HP]

Is it due a coolant change anyway?

Might be worth a flush, some fresh fluid and a new 'stat if it's about ready.

 

[Steven]

It was serviced 5000 miles ago, but with 65k on the clock I guess it is due Pete.

 

[Steven]

OK, when I bang the top of the dash it drops to the halfway mark which is where it should be. Just the connectors then.