Bob,
That the temp gets above the thermostat setting is not unusual, but for
the temp to reach 100C often is not right.
The purpose of the stat is to establish the minimum operating temp of
the engine. It does that by circulating engine water that is over the
stat's rating out to the radiator for cooling. The stat can cycle open
and closed in its efforts to maintain the operating temp. The actual
operating temp is established when the heat into the water (waste heat
from the engine) is in equilibrium with the head transferred to the air,
and that is usually much hotter than stat rating.
Assuming that the gauge is telling the correct temp, 80C is about
right for the engine. 90 is OK, but I wouldn't want to be above that very
often. If you're running hot, first thing to do is to check the timing.
Set it to 0 (the book setting) or 4 BTDC (my preferred setting) but do
this the static timing method. If you don't know what I mean, ask and
I'll describe.
I read that it is possible to install the fan blades so that they push
air forward. Check that they are on properly.
Is there water moving visibly in the radiator tank when the engine is
hot? You should see some swirling that indicates the pump is pumping.
But, I'm sorry to say, the problem is very likely to be a clogged
radiator or clogged block. The front right corner of the block, behind
that little drain tap, will fill up with an incredible amount of sediment
and block the proper flow of cooling water. The square casting on the
side of the block, half-hidden under the carbs and exhaust manifold, has
one, two or three holes in it that go to the water passages inside the
block. If plugged, the engine runs hot. Solution to that is easy-pull
out the "freeze" plugs, ream the holes, install new plugs. Reinstall
carbs and exhaust pipes.
What I would recommend is to check the timing and the fan blades, then
run a radiator cleaner in the system and flush it well. Won't hurt and
may help.
Bob
TD MkII
On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 15:30:49 EDT BobMGT@aol.com writes:
>On a hot day my TD's temperature gauge gets up to 212. All I know is
>that
>this is above the thermostat rating of 190. Is something wrong if the
>temperature gets above the thermostat rating? What temperature should
>be
>considered too hot? I found nothing in the workshop or owners manuals
>regarding temperature, maybe because the early models had no gauge.
>
>BTW, I tried some Redline Water Wetter and it made absolutely no
>difference.
>
>Bob Donahue (Still stuck in the '50s)
>EMAIL - BOBMGT@AOL.COM
>52 MGTD - under DIY restoration NEMGTR #11470
>71 MGB - AMGBA #96-12029, NAMGBR #7-3336
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