406oc.co.uk

French and Perfection aren't words that go together, but I love this car so I'm going to attempt to get it perfect.

Firstly the thing that is worrying me. On every other car I've had the temperature guage sits bang in the middle and doesn't move whether in traffic, on a hot day, cold, motorway etc usually they just sit at 90c and that's it. However on the 406, if I'm motoring along at 70 or highish speeds 30+ the temperature guage will sit at 75ish just above 1/4 of the guage, when I'm sat in traffic it goes to just past halfway ninety or so before dropping to 75-80ish again, the other day when I was idling for a long time and in the car wash, it went upto 110/115c which I got worried about and watched the temperature guage like a hawk any suggestions? The fan seems to be kicking in above 90c but I can't confirm this as when my dad borrowed the car he said it was and nothing to worry about I don't listen to him btw because last time I did my turbo blew up and the engine had essentially melted bloody Primera DCis

So what can I do this isn't right, it should stay bang in the middle all the time, I'm particularly worried about overcooling gumming up my oil with it running at 70-80c when I'm on the move.

Second issue, is when I'm idling and get out of the car, there appears to be a ticking noise, tick tick tick and it doesn't sound right, stuck tappets or something any ideas?

Third issue is there is a little missing on idle hardly noticable but I think it's bloody annoying, I have an LPG kit on and occassionally use petrol, what plugs do you recommend and what gap usually 0.2mm smaller gap for LPG but are there any which I can put in a forget about no misfiring etc?

Many Thanks.

Definitely nothing to worry about re temp gauge. Mine does it as well. When you're not moving there's no air flowing into the engine bay, so it heats up very quickly.

Dunno about your other 2 issues.

Temperature seems about right to me and as most French cars idle like a fifties bus I wouldn't worry too much about it either.

Ticking might be worth looking for. Check the belts.

Steve

So why does the 750Li, Megane, 307, Astra, Focus and all the other cars I've previously owned, driven or borrowed just stayed in the middle of the temperature guage at about 90c?

Clicking I'm thinking Worn Cam and Followers? Big Job?

johnny406 wrote:the other day when I was idling for a long time and in the car wash, it went upto 110/115c which I got worried about and watched the temperature guage like a hawk

If you've got a single fan that's normal, but it'd definitely indicate a broken fan/relay if you've got 2 fans mounted on your radiator.

For twin fan setups the fans should come on at low speed about 90-100c which should stabilise the temperature. If it hits about 110c then both will come on at full speed. If one fan is knackered then you lose the half speed option

Second issue, is when I'm idling and get out of the car, there appears to be a ticking noise, tick tick tick and it doesn't sound right, stuck tappets or something any ideas?

Could be anything from an iffy alternator to a dodgy injector. Plenty of stuff that can tick

Mine sits at 90 celcius, I've never seen it go higher yet, even after zipping down the dual carriageway at 70 and then stopping at lights.

It's wouldn't say it's nothing to worry about - I think it's wrong and I would put money on the thermostat letting water by and also not opening fully when needed (it's stuck).

You need:

Coolant flushing agent with biocide etc (Forte)
New Thermostat (from dealer)
New long life coolant (green) with a Forte conditioner agent (anyone would think I work or Forte )

Her indoors Astra was doing the same (apart from overheating) and the thermostat sorted it. Also when it's running cold the fuelling goes to pot.