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[PhilRich]

Since the cold weather took hold the car has been exhibiting some strange symptoms with the cooling/heating side of things! I noticed the temperature gauge needle would barely creep off the bottom stop unless the engine was left idling for at least ten minutes with no heating on at all, when it would eventually climb to around 80c & the lpg would switch in, but immediately I started driving, the temperature dropped to the bottom again & the lpg cut out because the vaporiser wasn't warm enough. I checked the coolant viscosity (ok), no air locks, radiator has no cold spots, all hoses ok. On a run to Newcastle yesterday (35miles each way and ambient temp. at -5c) the temperature wouldn't climb enough to  allow anything more than a luke warm breeze in the cabin. Before the return journey I got the screen cover I use to keep the windscreen frost free & folded it to fit across the front of the radiator, loosening the air box supply trumpet to allow it to fit in front of the Aircon fan, effectively blocking off all airflow through the front grille. I then set off home keeping a constant watch on the temp. gauge expecting it to show overheating! Well it didn't! in fact the temperature rose to normal within a few minutes & the lpg cut in within 30 seconds of starting up! Me & swmbo had toasty toes all the way home & even had to turn the temperature down! The only conclusion I can come to is the windchill factor from the forced draught had dropped the temperature a good few degrees more & was removing the heat as fast as the engine was generating it? I also immediately noticed the mpg increased from it's 18mpg average over the past 2 weeks to over 23.6mpg!!  The screen cover is staying where it is until the weather turns!

[feeutfo]

is your vapourisor plumbed engine out, to vap, to hbv, then to bulk head as normal?

[albitz]

Thermostat ? :-/

[PhilRich]

is your vapourisor plumbed engine out, to vap, to hbv, then to bulk head as normal?

Yes Chris, there have been no problems until the weather went below freezing. It isn't an lpg problem as such, it is definately down to the outside airflow cooling the system temperature drastically.

[PhilRich]

Thermostat ? :-/

No Albs, the thermostat opens at the correct temperature when it's given the chance 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thermostat ? :-/

No Albs, the thermostat opens at the correct temperature when it's given the chance 

Thermostat.....all the symptoms.

[PhilRich]

Thermostat ? :-/

No Albs, the thermostat opens at the correct temperature when it's given the chance 

Thermostat.....all the symptoms.

As said Mark, the stat opens when it should (92c) & was newly fitted in June (I know this means bugger all ) the system just loses all/most of it's heat when the car is moving at any speed, or rather it did before I blocked off the airflow through the front grille. Everything does as it's supposed to now!  I know it shouldn't need the airflow blocking under 'normal' circumstances, but i'm loath to fix it if it aint bust at least until normal service is resumed on the weather front anyway 

[Elite Pete]

I'd go with a faulty thermostat as well

[PhilRich]

I shall renew the thermostat again pdq (as soon as I can't see my breath! ) Thankyou fella's

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thermostat ? :-/

No Albs, the thermostat opens at the correct temperature when it's given the chance 

Thermostat.....all the symptoms.

As said Mark, the stat opens when it should (92c) & was newly fitted in June (I know this means bugger all ) the system just loses all/most of it's heat when the car is moving at any speed, or rather it did before I blocked off the airflow through the front grille. Everything does as it's supposed to now!  I know it shouldn't need the airflow blocking under 'normal' circumstances, but i'm loath to fix it if it aint bust at least until normal service is resumed on the weather front anyway 

Which is classic stat, when the engine temp (and hence coolant temp readout) is low, the stat closes and hence the rad cant cool the coolant.

this maintains the temp high.

Whe the stat is goosed, the rad is always cooling the coolant if it needs cooling or not.

So yep, stat.

Was it a genuine one, poxy useless replacement insert rubbish or aftermarket complete assembly?

[PhilRich]

Thermostat ? :-/

No Albs, the thermostat opens at the correct temperature when it's given the chance 

Thermostat.....all the symptoms.

As said Mark, the stat opens when it should (92c) & was newly fitted in June (I know this means bugger all ) the system just loses all/most of it's heat when the car is moving at any speed, or rather it did before I blocked off the airflow through the front grille. Everything does as it's supposed to now!  I know it shouldn't need the airflow blocking under 'normal' circumstances, but i'm loath to fix it if it aint bust at least until normal service is resumed on the weather front anyway 

Which is classic stat, when the engine temp (and hence coolant temp readout) is low, the stat closes and hence the rad cant cool the coolant.

this maintains the temp high.

Whe the stat is goosed, the rad is always cooling the coolant if it needs cooling or not.

So yep, stat.

Was it a genuine one, poxy useless replacement insert rubbish or aftermarket complete assembly?

[/highlight]






I wouldn't DARE say anything other than genuine GM from my local dealers Mark after reading that^^

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Haha. Best take that GENUINE Vx part back to the dealer and demand a replacement. I wouldnt not leave until you have a replacement thermostat, a written apology, and the receptionists mobile number. 

[VmaxGazza]

well i live near philrich and am having similar problem with cabin not getting warm, i only get good heat when stuck in traffic and am convinced its not thermostat, the symptoms are similar,
philrich if you change the thermostat, could you post your finding please?

[PhilRich]

well i live near philrich and am having similar problem with cabin not getting warm, i only get good heat when stuck in traffic and am convinced its not thermostat, the symptoms are similar,
philrich if you change the thermostat, could you post your finding please?

Hello mate 
I'm afraid i'm not convinced it is the thermostat either! I will bow to the superior knowledge of more Senior members & change the stat when the weather is better but as i've already said, after blocking off the front airflow the car is behaving impeccably & i'm convinced the chill factor of the ram air flow plus the already low outside temperature is the culprit, at least in my case! 

[mrgreen]

certainly classic stat symptoms as these heaters should certainly work down into the double negative figures being from the german stable