Engine temp gauage

[SLIVERFOX]

Engine temp will only rise to half way when driving slow in traffic or stopped. When driving goes down to 1/4  anyone had this or know where I should start 

[nezquick]

waterpump / thermostat. run some logs iv you have the :) means if not try a fellow forum member and failing that take it to a indie

[swedishfireball]

Sounds like a sticky thermostat to me. Under-heating isn't as bad as over-heating but it will reduce your MPG and increase engine wear slightly. Get it checked out 

[gigolo456]

Do both yr fans work in engine bay, ie both the bigger and smaller 1?? I had same issue, found out my smaller fan had broken, and then discovered my radiator was leaking also, so take yr pick!?

[callis]

I had same issue, was the thermostat, changed it and now everything is good

[john87]

Do both yr fans work in engine bay, ie both the bigger and smaller 1?? I had same issue, found out my smaller fan had broken, and then discovered my radiator was leaking also, so take yr pick!?

This would be likely to cause overheating, whereas the OP is suffering from the opposite 

Almost definitely a stuck thermostat, pal's old fiat had the problem for about a year and is now getting on average 10 more miles to a tenner than he was getting before!

[gigolo456]

Well if it wud cause the opposite, ie overheating, how come my needle reacted in exactly the same way his does?? :-o

[S2 Ant]

Well if it wud cause the opposite, ie overheating, how come my needle reacted in exactly the same way his does?? :-o

Fans are there for cooling, not heating. As said, a broken fan would cause temps to rise without a means of increasing the cooling efficiency of the radiator ie pulling air across it.

As others have said, this sounds like the thermostat needs to be replaced, esp as it gets up to temp in traffic or stationary but once moving cools down again.

[gigolo456]

Yeap, exactly the same as mine did my friend, and when I had both smaller fan changed AND radiator changed (as it was leaking), heh presto, needle goes to 90 and STAYS there! Im merely recalling my own personal experience here! :-D

[SLIVERFOX]

Car booked in today so fingers crossed lol

[jp_lcr]

Grateful if you could let us know how you get on please.

Mine does exactly the same and has been in dealers twice (still under warranty) who said there is nothing wrong, even though I can see from clocks they did no more than 10 miles driving it. It can go up to 90 degrees then 20 mins later drop to 70 degrees? I'm not aware of any way coolant temperature drops while engine is being used. My MPG is not brilliant but not too bad 32 on motorway or 25 in rush hour commute in town.

[SLIVERFOX]

Car all fixed thanks for the advice and tips peolpe

[c0v3rt]

Car all fixed thanks for the advice and tips peolpe

So was it the thermostat, or something else?
Glad you got all sorted!

[SLIVERFOX]

Yeah thermostat was stuck open was surprised how big a job it was to get out but all sorted now nice and warm again