197: Correct Engine Temperature

[Dean Cohen]

Sorry if this has been covered previously, I couldn't find it!

The temperature reading on my dash only goes to the 2nd line even when pushing harder. Is this not supposed to be sat directly in the middle?
If so I assume a new thermostat or temp sensor will sort this?

Thanks!

 

[RSRowe]

Needs to be here. Actual water temp can be seen at the bottom of the pic too. Usually circulates between 77 and 80

 

[Phenom]

Needs to be here. Actual water temp can be seen at the bottom of the pic too. Usually circulates between 77 and 80

Should it be there all the time?
as mine only makes it to the second line if i'm idling, in stop start traffic or driving the car very hard. otherwise is sits on that first line when doing normal driving cos it has been that way since I got the car, never questioned it till now.
What do I need to replace and where?

sorry if it seems like a 'noob' question but am a bit new to the whole car thing

 

[Beany]

Should it be there all the time?
as mine only makes it to the second line if i'm idling, in stop start traffic or driving the car very hard. otherwise is sits on that first line when doing normal driving cos it has been that way since I got the car, never questioned it till now.
What do I need to replace and where?

sorry if it seems like a 'noob' question but am a bit new to the whole car thing

In normal driving conditions it should be as the pic (2nd line)

new thermostat should fix this, not a costly job for a decent garage

 

[turkie172]

When you start the car first thing the temp will go up to almost line #3 then drop that's the thermostat opening and colder water allowed in, the temp will drop back a bit but should run above the line #2. If it sits below line #2 during normal (non aggressive) driving that's not normal, at lights the needle will come up to line #3 maybe level or just over and the fan should kick in and that can be earlier if the aircon is on but again normal. The older 172 Clio's used to sit at line #4 and never moved the 197 Clio's run cooler.

 

[Phenom]

Thanks for the replies and apologies for hijacking the thread
But I'm a bit confused now as to the 2 slightly different responses, going by turkie's pic:

View attachment 136682

my car never goes below #2 but will sit perfectly on #2 for the majority of driving unless doing any of what I mentioned in my previous post and I mean it will not move from #2 unless i'm stationary or getting every last RPM out of each gear.

so my car is sitting on the very bottom of normal 90% of the time? does my thermostat need replacing yes or no?

 

[RSRowe]

My pic above is where the car should sit regardless of driving condition (once at temp)

 

[Beany]

Thanks for the replies and apologies for hijacking the thread
But I'm a bit confused now as to the 2 slightly different responses, going by turkie's pic:

my car never goes below #2 but will sit perfectly on #2 for the majority of driving unless doing any of what I mentioned in my previous post and I mean it will not move from #2 unless i'm stationary or getting every last RPM out of each gear.

so my car is sitting on the very bottom of normal 90% of the time? does my thermostat need replacing yes or no?

yeah Turkies pic is still right along with @RSRowe however they’ve numbered them differently

Irregardless of “numbers” the needle should be pointing almost straight up as per the pics.

 

[Phenom]

Okay so my thermostat does need replacing. is there anything wrong with driving my car as is? as Xmas leaves the car funds quite low.
I always wait for the car to get up to temp before I start stretching it's legs, unless I've lost my patience with the stupid amount of roadwork and 20mph speed limits around.

 

[turkie172]

When I got my car the needle was below the #2 line my car is totally standard and I fitted the genuine thermostat 74Deg the fan is set by the car to operate at around 88Deg now I have to say driving around in hot weather the needle is always nearly vertical but operates between line #2 and #3 are you guys using the hotter thermostat and keeping the car near the fan temp range I must take some photos as the car heats up with the Renault diagnostic tool connected so we can see what the temperature is at each line and put it in the How To section for members to see I think that would be a big help for everyone you've got me thinking my car is running too cold now.

 

[Beany]

I wouldn’t advise it as it’s forcing the car to overcool.

Not sure if anyone with more technical knowledge can give an answer

 

[RSRowe]

Okay so my thermostat does need replacing. is there anything wrong with driving my car as is? as Xmas leaves the car funds quite low.
I always wait for the car to get up to temp before I start stretching it's legs, unless I've lost my patience with the stupid amount of roadwork and 20mph speed limits around.

It's like 8 quid for the replacement part from eurocarparts.
10 minute job if that

 

[Wolf197]

Everyone is so busy looking at the temp gauge illustrations nobody is looking at the average 39.5MPG

 

[suj]

Everyone is so busy looking at the temp gauge illustrations nobody is looking at the average 39.5MPG

I was, and I do all motorway @ 75miles a day and have never got that (well my gauge chats crap and says 31-33mpg over so many journeys, but fill ups always say 36-37mpg).

Also my thermostat is going AGAIN, it's a yearly service on my car, but I do like 20-22k a year!

 

[Beany]

I was, and I do all motorway @ 75miles a day and have never got that (well my gauge chats crap and says 31-33mpg over so many journeys, but fill ups always say 36-37mpg).

Also my thermostat is going AGAIN, it's a yearly service on my car, but I do like 20-22k a year!

It’s the car trying to be as cool as it’s owner

 

[suj]

It’s the car trying to be as cool as it’s owner

OH BABESSSSSSSSSSS

No just having a hissy fit as she knows she's going soon.....haha

 

[Dean Cohen]

When you start the car first thing the temp will go up to almost line #3 then drop that's the thermostat opening and colder water allowed in, the temp will drop back a bit but should run above the line #2. If it sits below line #2 during normal (non aggressive) driving that's not normal, at lights the needle will come up to line #3 maybe level or just over and the fan should kick in and that can be earlier if the aircon is on but again normal. The older 172 Clio's used to sit at line #4 and never moved the 197 Clio's run cooler.
View attachment 136682
View attachment 136681

Perfect explanation thank you, Mine sits around line #3 all the time I wasn't sure if it should be directly in the middle but all seems good on my end!
Side note: what sorcery is giving you that MPG!?!?!??!?!

 

[RSRowe]

I was, and I do all motorway @ 75miles a day and have never got that (well my gauge chats crap and says 31-33mpg over so many journeys, but fill ups always say 36-37mpg).

Also my thermostat is going AGAIN, it's a yearly service on my car, but I do like 20-22k a year!

That was sat behind my mates recovery van with the cruise on when I came back from Germany.
Once I was out in the wind it dropped down to about 37 on the computer.

It's quite often around that on a long run. I do 32 on a commute usually

 

[suj]

Haha yeah I did do 42mpg (actual) to London behind a mate in a newer camper, but computer still said like 37mpg, it is always so out! lol