Cimate controll and getting hot

[l_thorney]

Guys

My 96 Berlina, had the water pump replaced, thermostat replaced, heater hoses ect about 12 months ago, over last 6 mths, have noticed that it gets bloody hot temp gauge goes right up to 3/4 when sitting in traffic or at lights, when driving usually sits between half and 3/4 is this normal?????????

Also climate controll, books says turn it on auto, then it will kick in, mine always has a/c on it, then i have to change to manuall to get it to change temp could this be something to do with the car getting hot?????

The radiator is full no leaks, overflow gets topped up once a week or once each 2 weeks

Have also had the radiator pressure tested and it was fine, would a total flush do anyitnhg???

I want to keep it at a reasonable temp so it doesnt boil

ideas?

[Boonz]

change your ECU coolant temp sender to the revised part and it should keep the temp at about halfway when idling

[l_thorney]

replace the temp sender??? just unbolt and re bot??? Revised?????

[Boonz]

holden changed the fans to come on at 102-103 degrees instead of like 108 ish, theres also a thread on how to install a bypass switch for your thermo fans which is pretty affective for keeping the temps down

[EDGE3]

Why doesnt the fan kick in and why are you topping up the overflow each week,there is definately something wrong if you need to do that,there must be a leak somewhere

[justbad4you]

Guys

My 96 Berlina, had the water pump replaced, thermostat replaced, heater hoses ect about 12 months ago, over last 6 mths, have noticed that it gets bloody hot temp gauge goes right up to 3/4 when sitting in traffic or at lights, when driving usually sits between half and 3/4 is this normal?????????

Also climate controll, books says turn it on auto, then it will kick in, mine always has a/c on it, then i have to change to manuall to get it to change temp could this be something to do with the car getting hot?????

The radiator is full no leaks, overflow gets topped up once a week or once each 2 weeks

Have also had the radiator pressure tested and it was fine, would a total flush do anyitnhg???

I want to keep it at a reasonable temp so it doesnt boil

ideas?

1 3/4 in traffic is about norm for an ecotec MY OLD ECOTEC V6 did the excatc same thing then the fan kicked in and lowered it to half way 2 if you topping up you over flo bi weekly with about 100ml thats also about norm 3 is your coolant nice and GREEN?? then all a total flush will do is cost you money and not make the car run aany cooler...........and 4 we are heading into winter now so you shouldnt have to many probs in respect to overheating.........having the ac on all the time will make the car run just that little bit hotter(worse in summer) and what do you mean in respect to having to turn to manual to change temp???......AND 6 LAST OF ALL......WELCOME TO JC

[Zarconia]

Yeah my eco runs up to 3/4 then hi speed fan kicks in. Air con should automatically turn the hi speed on and shouldn't even leave 1/4. Found this to be the exact same in my mates old VS ute my parents VS calais and friends VS wagon

[l_thorney]

1 3/4 in traffic is about norm for an ecotec MY OLD ECOTEC V6 did the excatc same thing then the fan kicked in and lowered it to half way 2 if you topping up you over flo bi weekly with about 100ml thats also about norm 3 is your coolant nice and GREEN?? then all a total flush will do is cost you money and not make the car run aany cooler...........and 4 we are heading into winter now so you shouldnt have to many probs in respect to overheating.........having the ac on all the time will make the car run just that little bit hotter(worse in summer) and what do you mean in respect to having to turn to manual to change temp???......AND 6 LAST OF ALL......WELCOME TO JC

Topping up over flow about once a week or fortnight, collant is green, but looks a little dirty, slightly brown, was thinking about a flush???? i was driving the other night in peak hour, richmond to coburg, about 45 mins and got it to about 3/4 or slighlty higher when sitting at lights, then comes down after taking off, in the owners manaul, it states for climate controll, turn on and leave it, and it will set it self, but is shows a/c always no matter if heating or cooling is this correct?? Is it worth changing the Coolant temp sender? and thermo again?

[hako]

You should not need to top up the coolant except maybe once a year as the engine should use no coolant at all. Evaporation from the overflow tank will be the only cause of topping up and even then it should only be about 100ml.
As yours is using coolant you need to find out why. Prime suspect is usually the inlet manifold gasket, also the heater, heater tap, radiator cap, hose connections, head gaskets etc.
Another thing to consider is that the overflow tank should only be about 1/4 full when cold - some people fill it higher and then when it expands and overflows they think the engine is using coolant.
Your temp gauge readings are normal. I wouldn't go changing sensors etc until you can prove they are busted. There are tests for just about everything in the Gregorys manual.