Temp Guage Goes Into Red

[tommo]

Hi Peeps

Has anyone any idea why when I motor up a any slight incline at a constant speed say along a bypass or motorway my temperture gauge heads for the red area yet on the level it's fine..?

Car is a 01 Focus 1.6 LX auto..

Cheers

Tony

[FOCA]

Hi Peeps

Has anyone any idea why when I motor up a any slight incline at a constant speed say along a bypass or motorway my temperture gauge heads for the red area yet on the level it's fine..?

Car is a 01 Focus 1.6 LX auto..

Cheers

Tony

Yes, the car requires a lot more power to climb a hill - more power = more heat

If you cycling a bike the effort required to climb a hill/ incline (compared to going downhill or on the flat ) is much more obvious, but in the car, the engine does the work so the (significant) extra load the hill/ incline places on the engine is not often realised/ noticed

NA petrol engined cars can run hot and autos can soak up a lot of power going uphill - but it sounds like you may also have a problem with your cooling system too

As the weather gets warmer it may become more difficult to cool the engine - an old trick is to put the heater on (turned right up with the fan on highest speed) you wll get hot (you can open the windows) but it will help keep the engine cool

[btmaldon]

Before going for any expensive fixes, try changing your expansion tank cap. If its not holding the pressure it will cause the car to overheat much easier. Its a part that should be changed regularly anyway.

[tommo]

Before going for any expensive fixes, try changing your expansion tank cap. If its not holding the pressure it will cause the car to overheat much easier. Its a part that should be changed regularly anyway.

Thanks btmaldon, renewing the expantion tank cap has cured the odd overheating problem..

Tommo

[jeebowhite]

Guy at work had this same issue just today and I advised him of the fix, garage charged him £40 for the privilage.