Hi all,
Please help me with the problem with working temperature of the engine. After few kilometers of ride the cooling fluid should raise to 90 degree temp. But the indication on the clocks always (even after long ride) stops

on half of scale ( like 50-70 degree).

My car is 2.4 136 HP manual gear 4x4 and last time I've replaced:
- Radiator, water sensor, thermostat, cooling fluid.
Anyway, after the replacement of parts, still I have the same problem.

Maybe someone had such problem and can share with me how to solve that? I'm sure the indication should be always on the middle on 90 degree.

Thanks.

 

I don't see anything wrong with where your dashboard temperature gauge is inaccurate. Most vehicles I've owned were always under the half-way mark. To make you feel better, you should check the water temperature yourself with a gauge when it's hot. Most modern vehicles, run in the 190-210 F range when hot. Just don't burn yourself getting the radiator cap off to check the coolant temperature.

There will be pressure that you will have to release before you can check your coolant temp. It may say "don't open while hot" on the cap, but that means nothing to a tech or a D-I-Y'er. It's a matter of finding a thick towel or rag, soak it in cold water, and gently turning the cap until all the pressure is gone, with the engine in the "off" position.

A good glove and goggles might be handy too. Just go _real_ slow in accomplishing this feat. I'll assume you don't have a mechanics coolant temp gauge, but the kitchen temp gauge for cooking turkey's and the like will work almost as well.

Addendum: Also, if your heater is putting out lots of good heat, I honestly don't think you even need to check your coolant heat temperature, which is what I believe might well be the case here.

 

The picture Ive added was on hot engine, not cold.
This morning Ive checked temp. By using a computer and see what I got - only 70 degree of celsius of working temp. On hot engine. Its around 150-160 F

 

I didn't realize you live in a non-English speaking country, not that it matters at all. Yes, the coolant temperature can also be read with a scan-tool, as you have indicated. 160 F is too low for your Captiva. My guess is you have an incorrect thermostat/ or it's bad, even if new. It COULD be the sensor as well, depending on many factors, including your ECM. You could try to compensate for that by blocking off a portion of the radiator, as many US truck drivers used to accomplish with leather or vinyl radiator blockers, which snapped onto the front of the radiator or cab, and had zippers to increase or decrease engine temperature's during the cold winter months, but most still use a thermostat to control engine temperature. If it's out of the designed range, your motor and other systems will not operate properly at all.