Technical Temp gauge in car keeps dropping

[nonamenoface]

Hi, I’ve a 2009 fiat panda 1.1 active eco

So I had the head gasket fixed (as it was overheating before) and an oil change.

Ever since I had this done I've noticed something bizarre with my temperature gauge. When I start driving from cold the gauge will slowly rise and dip and rise dip before it gets to the middle. Is this normal?

But what I’m really concerned about is when the car reaches operating temperature, the gauge will drop slightly when I’m going around bends in 4th gear / going down hill / sometimes when my foot is off the gas for short period of time.

It never drops below 25% (if that makes any sense, 50% is the middle) it will always rise back to operating temperature and it hasn’t overheated.

In the past the gauge will get to the operating temp and stay there.

Should I be concerned about this. What exactly could be causing this issue? possibly the thermostat or a faulty wire or something else.

 

[koalar]

Should I be concerned about this.
Yes

It should stay in the middle and say there. It's telling you something's not right.

First check would be to start the engine from cold. Put your
hand on the top hose right hand side. It should stay cold for a few minutes.


A stuck open thermostat would fit the tempiture going down when going down hill. Although I am at a loss as to fourth gear round corners.

 

[Wee Smurf]

I had a faulty thermostat which caused my temperature gauge to drop down and go back up a bit. New thermostat fixed it.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

:yeahthat:


www.mister-auto.co.uk

 

[MLW]

A new thermostat would be a good cheap idea. Make sure you get the right one. Usual 35% discount at the weekends on click and collect.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/car-thermostat
Once fitted, test the old one out of interest in an old saucepan to see if it opens and closes smoothly.
At this this will be eliminated.

 

[nonamenoface]

x

Not really good with cars so might go to a garage, would they normally have the right thermostat? or do I order it and bring it to the garage? Also how long should it take? just so I know how much labour with be.

 

[blu73]

I'd suggest getting a genuine fiat thermostat, garage will just fit a cheapy one and its not a part you want to fail.

Do you know why your head gasket went? Cause most common suspect is failing thermostat, and alot of not good garages just change the gasket and then pull the innards out the stat instead of replacing it. Could be whats happened here maybe.

 

[koalar]

Did you tested it via post 2 ?

 

[blu73]

Although I am at a loss as to fourth gear round corners.

Yeah thats weird, only thing i can think of really is there is air in the system maybe and certain conditions is making the bubble sit around the sensor - i'm clutching at straws though lol. That or pure coincidence.