90 240 gauge pointer of temperature gauge above middle

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by Someone, Mar 6, 2009.

  1. Someone

    Someone Guest

    Decided to start another thread since it is a different topic.

    I also have a 93 240, and I'm used that the gauge pointer of the
    temperatur gauge is slightly less than middle.

    But on my new 90 240, it is much higher than half. I was thinking
    that the radiator might be clogged with dirt and/or inside is
    rusted/blocked.

    I was thinking to replace it with a brand new radiator. Can I buy one
    from third party or should I stick with the Volvo oem?

    Any other advice appreciated.

    Thanks.
     
    Someone, Mar 6, 2009
    #1
  2. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    I like the Nissens heavy duty radiator myself, it has metal end tanks,
    unlike the plastic stock tanks that fail catastrophically.

    A bad radiator is far from the only thing that can cause it to run hot
    though. Thermostat, fan clutch, or even the sensor or gauge itself can
    have problems.
     
    James Sweet, Mar 6, 2009
    #2
  3. How is your thermostat ,does your belt need tightening ?Can you clean your
    radiator fins out with detergent and hot water ?What about removeing it and
    flushing it .If you do get a new one go for the heavy duty 3 row metal one
    /.
     
    Jon Robertson, Mar 15, 2009
    #3
  4. Someone

    Someone Guest

    I had the voltage regulator at back of instrument panel change, but it
    did nothing. (That's the voltage regulator for both temp gauge and
    fuel gauge).

    I was thinking to change the thermostat. Will take a look in Chilton
    & Haynes. If I change it, do I need to flush coolant?

    The needle behaves funny. Seems to go to 80% of gauge and then will
    go down for no reason while I drive at constant speed.

    My guess is either thermostat or radiator or both. In my 93 240, the
    needle is always below 50% and constant, but in the 90 240, when it
    stabilizes, it goes around 60%.

    Thanks for the tips about radiator.

    Another question though: If I change the radiator, can I fill it up
    with the pre-mix stuff you use to top off coolant? Where I live it
    goes from ~ -30C in Winter to +35C in Summer.

    Thanks.
     
    Someone, Mar 20, 2009
    #4
  5. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    There were several different thermostats available, I've seen similar
    behavior when a warmer one was put in the car. In this case I would
    suspect the fan clutch, when that fails you can get similar behavior.

    Yeah you can fill up with premix, or you can mix it yourself, it doesn't
    really matter. You can pick up a hygrometer for testing the coolant mix,
    it has a suction bulb that draws coolant up into a chamber where a
    pointer floats depending on the density of the fluid. Ingeniously simple
    and cheap.
     
    James Sweet, Mar 20, 2009
    #5
  6. Someone

    Someone Guest

    If it is the fan clutch, then what should be the proper course of
    action?

    Thanks.

    P.S. I'm not too, too mechanically experienced.
     
    Someone, Mar 20, 2009
    #6
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