I'm starting to think my cold engine isn't really that cold. As I mentioned,
I covered my radiator completely. Yesterday I took a 50 mile trip in 32
degree F weather. The temperature gauge stayed just above the 'N' the whole
way. After I parked a plum of steam billowed from under the hood.
Fortunately, it was coming from the overflow hose, not a leak. I'm thinking
this behavior shouldn't happen with the needle only a smidge above 'N'. How
can I check the calibration of my temperature gauge? (It's easy on the TD
since you can remove the cap any time, and stick a thermometer in.)
Bob Donahue (Still Stuck in the '50s)
Email - bobmgtd@insightbb.com
Cars: 52 MGTD - #17639
71 MGB - #GHN5UB254361
Member: NEMGTR #11470
NAMGBR # 7-3336
Hoosier MGB Club
Olde Octagons of Indiana
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Hunt" <paul.hunt1@blueyonder.co.uk>
To: "Bob Donahue" <bobmgtd@insightbb.com>; "mgs" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2005 5:31 AM
Subject: Re: Engine running too cold
> Sounds like something wrong there, particularly as 190F was the stat for
> 'cold' climates but only until 64 after that it was 180F. My 73 roadster
> runs at about half the width of the N different from summer in the 80s to
> winter near or at freezing, the V8 about an N's width (and that has been
> used regularly in temps well below freezing), and I don't use anything to
> block the air in either car. Also both with 'standard' stats (165F and
> 180F) as far as I know. I'd also say that the heater should be putting
> out
> *something* when halfway between L and N. Is the radiator warm or cool
> when
> registering that? It should be cold as the stat shouldn't open until the
> needle gets almost up to the N. When warming up from cold the rad should
> stay cool as the engine warms, then suddenly get hot as the stat opens.
> Does the temp rise closer to N if left fast-idling in cold temps? With
> the
> rad completely covered the temp gauge should get significantly above N in
> anything other than freezing temps.
>
> There are lots of reasons why the heater could be putting out low heat,
> the
> biggest of which is probably the fresh air flap the control for which is
> in
> the LH footwell by an LHD drivers right knee being open. But that is just
> one of nine or so possibles, listed at
> http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/wn_heaterframe.htm. If it weren't for the
> large
> variation in temp gauge readings I'd wonder if it were you just 'feeling
> the
> cold', as they say. Have you tried taking independent coolant temps at N
> and mid-way between L and N?
>
> PaulH.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>> My B engine has a tendency to run too cold....
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