[Nadzoid]

Hi there,
I am new to the Pumas and was enjoying the drive for a few days until the dreaded temp problems started. I have read loads of the threads but still need some advice if there is anyone out here who knows...

I am now at the point where I can't tell if it is overheating as the needle has suddenly moved up past the red into the max zone even though the car has been sitting overnight cooling in the Febraury cold.
Engine completely cold and yet needle up past red.

What's happened so far...
Original owner said he had just replaced the valve.
Head gasket has been replaced under advice as... (losing water, coolant smelt of petrol, loads of white smoke from the exhaust and water sprayed up when turning over the engine without the plugs in)
(Cam belt changed)
The car ran with the guage at 2 thirds when returned but didn't overheat.
Then water started leaking from casing so car went back to garage.
They fixed the laek and ran the car on idle for a while but couldn't provoke overheating.
Car returned again with needle in same place but no leak.
Then after a week the needle started moving near to the red zone after a 10 mile journey. (With themperatue fluctuating at speed.)
Checked water levels and it didn't seem to have lost any. Heater working fine - if rather hot.
Another 10 mile journey and back towards the red. This time steam was coming out of the engine bay and I quickly pulled over.
It turned out to be one of the hoses under the coil pack.
I had a 5l bottle in the car and so filled it up so that I could park somewhere safer (as I was on a dark country lane).
In moving it a few yards the needle shot up beyond red even though the expansion tank was at max.
I got a tow home.
After leaving the Puma overnight, I fixed the leak, added some coolant and started the car. The needle moved very slightly back towards the red on start up and then went right over to max the next second even though the car was stone cold!

I have no idea what to do. Having already spent £800 on the head gasket, If it has gone again there is no way I can repair it.
I can't even work out if it is overheating anymore.
Anyone got ideas?

[ruben867]

look at the cable and seal the positive thermo and mass (bridge).
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/carmen/CONFIG%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png

[Nadzoid]

ruben867, on 20 February 2011 - 11:19 AM, said:

look at the cable and seal the positive thermo and mass (bridge).
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/carmen/CONFIG%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I can't see your file you have attached.
Also, not quite sure what you mean by 'positive thermo and mass (bridge)'.
I don't have a lot of experience. Can you explain a little more?

Thanks for your help.

[Nadzoid]

ruben867, on 20 February 2011 - 11:19 AM, said:

look at the cable and seal the positive thermo and mass (bridge).
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/carmen/CONFIG%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png

Just taken out the sensor and the sender.
When the temeperature sensor connection was removed there was no difference.
When I removed the connection to the sender - the gauge went back to cold.
New one ordered so we will see...

[Nadzoid]

Got a sender and a sensor in a housing from ebay (£20).
Gauge now seems to be working and fan cuts in just after half way temp reached.
Had a lot of problems with air locks but lifting the expansion tanks as high as it would go worked well.

[happy-kat]

Fingers crossed for you that this is now fixed and no lasting damage was caused previously
The Wiki has a section on heating system