adamm

thanks

hi thanks - its the 1.4 engine - 1360cc i think - yes, as far as i can tell the fan does cut in correctly........no, can't see any external blockages to the radiator - as i said though, i'm not an expert - but as far as i can tell with my limited knowledge everything appears to be working fine - apart from the temperature rising from time to time......i'm sure there is something thats been missed but haven't found it yet!!

Hi New to this - have a bit of technical knowledge but not much! I have a V reg Citroen Xsara West Coast - done 69000, well serviced, good condition, runs well. Ever since i've had it under heavy load the temperature gauge has crept up slightly - not greatly and i've tended to ignore it - and there's never been a problem. But lately its creeping up more. Coolant is topped up - appears to be in good condition. No obvious leaks. No obvious signs of a failed head gasket. Doesn't lose any coolant - heater and air con work fine. In normal circumstances the temperature gauge sits in the middle around 90 or slightly above. But just lately, under heavy load, its crept up almost to the red zone (it has never overheated, the engine stop light has never come on) - but yesterday i drove up a steep hill near where i live and i thought i would have to stop - but within a few moments of levelling out the gauge had gone back down to 90 in the middle. Now, i know its hot at the moment, and a few folk i've asked have said something along the lines of 'they do that - don't worry about it - its just things working properly' - but i'm not convinced at all. In every other car i've owned the temperature gauge has not varied that much - and it seems to be getting hotter - although as i said, it is hot weather at the moment. Could it be the thermostat not working properly? Do i get that checked or do i carry on unless i have a problem? The only other possible related thing could be that on one or two occasions back in the winter when i started the car cold i heard for a few seconds a trickling water sound - that lasted a few seconds max! The car has not done it for months and i have had the car serviced since then and my garage which i trust said don't worry about that..........any advice much appreciated. Like i said, a very good car for its age......... Thanks Adam