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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Temp Guage Reading

Gentlemen,
I have long thought that my TF was running on the cool side, and that during its restoration (before I bought the car)it had had its thermostat changed to a more modern one (without the bypass baffle), or was running without one altogether. Now what set this odessy off in the first place, was that my temperature guage has never risen more than a needle's width past the middle mark mark between the 30 degree and the 85 degree marks (this during normal driving, flat roads and 80 degree (F) outside temperatures. I delved into the thermostat housing on the weekend, and much to my surprise ........ was an original thermostat with the bypass baffle. A quick cleanup, and a trip to my bride's kitchen, a candy thermometer and a pan of water on the stove, showed that it was operating as new, opening around 72 to 75 degrees celcius. Obviously, the guage must be reading on the low side, even though the thermostat is operating as it should.
Is this what everyone else has on their guages? I would think that my guage needs readjusting. Is this a do it yourselfer?
Gene
Gene Burgess

Gene - You would be better off sending the gauge to someone who specializes in gauges. The temperature gauge in the T series cars is a Bordon tube gauge with a working fluid in the sensor end that expands with heat, applying pressure to the Bordon tube and causing it to try to straighten. The straightening action of the tube pulls a geared rack along a pinion gear that rotates the needle, so it requires more than just repositioning the needle to get the proper reading across the whole range. The John Wolf Company in Ohio does this kind of work. Their web site is at: http://www.tempman.qpg.com/ Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Is there any way you can run an electrical extension lead to heat an electric kettle by you car. Then you could put the temperature probe (from the rad header tank) into the water, watch the temp rise as you heat the water, and ensure that your gauge reads close to 100 C when the water boils. If it doesn't, then a repair may be necessary, as you could have lost some of the "thermal fluid" through a leak. Best of luck.
Roger Wilson

"Is there any way you can run an electrical extension lead to heat an electric kettle by you car. Then you could put the temperature probe (from the rad header tank) into the water, watch the temp rise as you heat the water, and ensure that your gauge reads close to 100 C when the water boils. If it doesn't, then a repair may be necessary, as you could have lost some of the "thermal fluid" through a leak." Or place a pan of water on a camp stove by hte car. Any leak in the sensor or capaliary tube would cause all of the fluid to be lost and the gauge would probably not work at all. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed on 05/07/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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