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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Running Hot?

Hey Everyone,
Now that the car will start and run, and I went and broke the pipe for the temp gauge, how can I tell if she's running normal, cool or overheating without a gauge?

I read in the archives about using cooking thermometers, but after 10 minutes of running I don't fancy the idea of popping the thermostat housing nut to dip her in. I have fears of scalding skin and 911 calls.

How do you check? Overflow tank coolant? (aside from getting a new gauge! lol)

C
Chris Elkerton

Chris, do you have any reason to think it may be overheating?

most cars dont

ensure the stat is ok
the rad is clean and full
and the fan works

Then there is little likelihood of it overheating anyway

Some digital multimeters come with a thermistor that can be touchd to a surface and have a scale that can measure it for you

At work I used to have a Robin Multimeter that had this facility and I often had calls to use it to prove that the gauge was telling lies to the owner

Almost always a gauge fault

but for you the simplest answer is a relacement gauge with its own healthy capillary tube
Bill

Those remote infra red spot thermometers are pretty cheap nowadays. I don't have one but keep meaning to buy one. I have seen one used to identify an occasional misfire on one cylinder of a V8. The intermittently offending cylinder resulted in a lower running temperature and the temp sensor picked this up so easily.

As regards overheating, these cars are much more likely to overheat when stationary, than when travelling. If it will run smoothly on tick-over for 20 minutes or so and doesn't boil over then it will almost certainly be safe to drive without concern. Then, after a run out remove a plug and check that it isn't too white on the tip.

And order a new gauge, it will be cheaper than you worrying about it whenever you take the car out!
Guy Weller

Hey Bill,
Just basing it on the fact that 14 years ago she used to always run hot. Not overheating, but at highways speeds she'd run half way between N and "HOT". I'm just so paranoid of something going "boom" because of such a long dormant period.

Guess I'll start hunting for a new gauge. Local parts places have electric gauges, but I'm assuming I need the electric sensor that I see listed in Moss / VB catalogues.

C
Chris Elkerton

Chris I understand where you are coming from with this

I wouldn't mind betting though that the old gauge wasnt very accurate, it's really a good idea if you can get yourself a multimeter with the thyristor sensor leads on it.

OR as Guy suggests an infra red sensor, the information you can pick up with these newfangled dohdahs is amazing

Good luck, in this instance eBay may be your friend
Bill

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93983

seriously, Id replace the the gauge and assembly....they are all ways on ebay...for as as little as $20 and new for $150...or go to wally world and get an aftermarket one for $25


As to aftermarket electric gauges....thats what I use...works great, yes they do have a special sensor, but its comes with the gauge...cant use any ol sensor Im told...vary specific....but easy to install...just a couple pipe fittings and some tefplon plumbers tape

prop
Prop

This thread was discussed between 11/07/2008 and 12/07/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.