Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: horsecow on 08 May 2013, 21:23:19

Title: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 08 May 2013, 21:23:19
Just noticed in the past few days that the temp stays around 75 when driving and only goes up up 90 when in town, hasn't been above 90 at all lately. Is this normal or is it possible that the car is overcooling?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: ozzycat on 08 May 2013, 21:28:33
looks normal to me
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: sassanach on 08 May 2013, 21:30:46
my 3.0 runs between 90 and 95 :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 08 May 2013, 21:36:31
Thanks guys, I was just curious. Car has been running like a dream for a while now thankfully and I just thought I'd ask anyway.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: albitz on 08 May 2013, 21:41:42
75 is too low imo.Lazy stat the likely cause.I had the same problem for a long time.Changed the stat recently and it now runs at just under 90 most of the time.Seems to improve economy by around 10% too. :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: tunnie on 08 May 2013, 21:42:49
Temp should be in the middle of the gauge, 75 is too cool.  :y

Sounds like a lazy stat  :)



Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: tunnie on 08 May 2013, 21:43:52
V6 on F/L should be at 90  :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 09 May 2013, 08:34:44
Thanks guys, I'll keep an eye on it then for a few days and if it keeps up then I'll change it. Where is the said stat located, any idea on price for a new one?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: RobG on 09 May 2013, 08:36:03
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90647.0
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 09 May 2013, 08:50:48
Thanks Rob. bit of work involved there then!! Any idea on a price?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: SMD on 09 May 2013, 10:19:14
As others have said, 75 is too low. Have a look here

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90487.0

Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: jonny2112 on 09 May 2013, 12:48:56
Thanks Rob. bit of work involved there then!! Any idea on a price?

I bought one last year from Vx. Think it was about £45 ish but I'll check after. I used the existing transfer pipe though.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Figureman52 on 09 May 2013, 13:10:43
Fitted this 18 months ago no problems yet. :y

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-OMEGA-VECTRA-etc-V6-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING-NEW-/370148171910?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item562e8ce086
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: jonny2112 on 09 May 2013, 13:28:53
Wish I'd seen that then  :-X
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 09 May 2013, 21:53:25
So kept an eye on it today and it seems to like sitting below 80. Driving on open roads it never gets above 80 even after a good thrashing, town driving or sitting still it will go to 85 but never much more. Priced one with vauxhall today and they quoted £55. Will this do any damage, do I need to replace immediately or just whenever??
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Nick W on 09 May 2013, 21:58:42
Fitted this 18 months ago no problems yet. :y

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-OMEGA-VECTRA-etc-V6-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING-NEW-/370148171910?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item562e8ce086

That's what I fitted to mine. It's identical to the GM part I removed, although someone made a half-hearted attempt to grind the 'GM' marking off it.

Like a lot of parts, insisting on genuine is just a way of spending lots of extra money
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: albitz on 09 May 2013, 22:01:50
So kept an eye on it today and it seems to like sitting below 80. Driving on open roads it never gets above 80 even after a good thrashing, town driving or sitting still it will go to 85 but never much more. Priced one with vauxhall today and they quoted £55. Will this do any damage, do I need to replace immediately or just whenever??

It wont do any damage as such,but the engine wont be running efficiently and will drink more fuel.Better to put a new stat in as soon as is reasonably possible.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 09 May 2013, 22:03:44
Thanks Albs, could prob get around to it at the weekend if I pushed myself but I'll see how it goes.  :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 13 May 2013, 12:28:55
So today being colder I've noticed that the heater is only blowing cold air when its set to anything below 27 but piping hot on 28 and hi. Outside temp was 4, engine temp 85. I presume this is also connected to the thermostat or is it something else??
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: biggriffin on 13 May 2013, 15:15:56
A word from the wise, before changing the stat see about getting another transfer pipe,just in case, put a request in parts wanted. And while plenums off clean breathers, and trottle bodies.
 Also check the thickness of the flange against the old one as you may need new bolts if its thinner.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 13 May 2013, 16:22:53
That stat on ebay is only £18 odd, would it be best to do transfer pipe and stat when I have all off anyway?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Figureman52 on 13 May 2013, 18:24:52
That stat on ebay is only £18 odd, would it be best to do transfer pipe and stat when I have all off anyway?

Worked for me, but it was the thinner flange.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: allen25 on 13 May 2013, 19:10:27
I had all of the same issues, stat sticking open etc. I did use GM parts which also provided the 2 new seals/'O' rings for the transfer pipe. All replaced and fine for me. I used all of the tips from the video on the OOF site. My stat broke free pretty easily, not anywhere as stubborn as the example on the video. Now I have the normal raise in temperature, noted on the dash, and the resultant drop as the stat opens. Before changing, I did the test on the radiator top hose. No sudden rush of heat as expected with a functional stat opening, just a gentle warm up.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 13 May 2013, 19:11:43
if youre getting cold air when its on hot have you bled the cooling system of air? just thinking of simple things to look at before ripping out the stat  :y

could be a blocked heater matrix, but obviously get the engine temp. thing sorted first
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: allen25 on 13 May 2013, 19:22:18
Good point from Webby, Is your thermostat working? Have you tested it via top hose when the stat opens? If the top hose warms up gradually from cold (with your hand on the hose as a measure) then it suggests a faulty stat. If it does not warm up and you have a rush of heat when the engine is hot, (hand still on the pipe), then the stat is on the face of it opening normally?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 13 May 2013, 19:27:11
Its cold air on anything below 27 but 28 and hi is piping hot. Haven't tested yet will do it in the morning when the car is cold. Which hose it is I need to check, the top one going to radiator?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: allen25 on 13 May 2013, 19:32:40
Yes it is that one, the large pipe from the stat/transfer pipe, top right as you look at the engine. Do shout if you need any more info.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 13 May 2013, 19:33:14
26 should still be very hot mate  :y i'd air bleed the system as my first port of call  :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 13 May 2013, 19:33:38
Yes it is that one, the large pipe from the stat/transfer pipe, top right as you look at the engine. Do shout if you need any more info.

And this test of Allen's of course  :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 13 May 2013, 19:41:59
Will do a bleed in the morning and check the pipe as well. Should be able to do both at once I guess
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 14 May 2013, 12:18:06
Bleed done and there didn't seem to be any air in there, not losing any coolant either or its very very little if I am. Hand on pipe and it was ice cold for a good 5 minutes or more then heat all of a sudden though the temp hand still hadn't moved even after a few minutes of the hot coolant coming through.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: allen25 on 14 May 2013, 15:18:03
The stat is operating as it should from what you have described (could possibly be sticking slightly open or not but sounds ok...good?). Maybe it is worth flushing the heater matrix as per Webby's suggestion. The temp gauge is not necessarily accurate, have your temperature readings changed recently or is it the heater issue that has flagged your issue? Just for info, my stat had failed and the warm up was gradual, no rush of heat. Hope this makes sense, do shout if not.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 May 2013, 15:22:38
If the heating blows hot when set to "Hi" but not under usual circumstances, then there's nothing wrong with the cooling system and matrix. The climate panel is not calling for hot air for some reason. Probably a failed temperature sensor somewhere. Does the outside temperature indication read accurately?

All inputs to the climate panel can be verified with a Tech 2.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 14 May 2013, 16:15:25
Yeah the outside temp seems to be near enough, I'm not getting outrageous readings or anything. I'll maybe try getting it on tech2 then to check if there is something wrong although pedal trick is showing no codes at all. The engine temp used to sit around 85 most if the time its only really the last week or so that its decided to stay below 80. Doesn't seem to affect the fuel consumption as the average hasn't changed at all, so might just leave it for a while. Think I'll flush the heater matrix and possibly coolant as well anyway but I might leave the stat and transfer pipe for now.
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: omegapioneer on 01 June 2013, 23:23:21
hi i drive a 3.2 estate and have similar issues to this my temp never rises past 80 when driving on open road but will rise slightly if stationary have a new stat waiting to get it stripped and fitted but vx didnt even supply the new o ring seal for the genuine stat so get it before i jump in, checked the temp via plug in obdII unit and was reading 78 while driving, so guage was accurate let you know results later cheers eric
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Andy B on 01 June 2013, 23:35:22
hi i drive a 3.2 estate and have similar issues to this my temp never rises past 80 when driving on open road but will rise slightly if stationary have a new stat waiting to get it stripped and fitted but vx didnt even supply the new o ring seal for the genuine stat so get it before i jump in, checked the temp via plug in obdII unit and was reading 78 while driving, so guage was accurate let you know results later cheers eric

You'll need two for the transfer pipe too, in fact, it'd be a good idea to buy another transfer pipe so that when you lose patience with trying to separate yours from the 'stat, you'll not feel so bad when you destroy it because you'll have a nice new shiny one to use instead.   :y :y
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 02 June 2013, 18:25:38
Thanks Eric, will be interested in the results
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: omegapioneer on 06 June 2013, 00:54:48
hi funny you mentioned transfer pipe as when i checked it must have been worked at before because the bracket behind dip stick is broken off so defo need new pipe, seals on order for pipe already cheers eric
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 June 2013, 21:27:29
Temp should be in the middle of the gauge, 75 is too cool.  :y

Sounds like a lazy stat  :)


Mine has this problem, too.

If only the stat was more accessible. :-\
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: BazaJT on 07 June 2013, 18:37:37
Sounds like mine[although the heaters work properly on mine]but only last week it returned 34.6mpg on a 450 mile round trip,so if it's using more fuel than it should what would I be getting by changing the 'stat?
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: omegapioneer on 08 June 2013, 22:37:22
Hi guys fitted stat and ran car went to 85 after couple of miles and modulating between that and 90 so now need to run car and see if any improvement in economy cheers Eric
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: albitz on 08 June 2013, 22:42:03
Improvement will be more noticeable in winter months. ;)
Title: Re: Running too cool?
Post by: horsecow on 09 June 2013, 20:32:34
I don't think it has affected the fuel consumption on mine at all tbh. The overall avg is still the same as its always been, up and down .1 or .2 now and again but nothing much.