Normal running temperature
Listed below are temperature ranges from by SELOC members from their stack display within the car.
| Model | Engine | Modifications from Standard | Motorway (70mph) type crusing range (deg C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 S (220) | 1.8 Toyota 2ZR | Standard | 92-93 |
| S2 | 1.8 Rover 'K' | Standard | 96-97 |
| S2 | 1.8 Rover 'K' | Eliseparts remote T-stat | 82-84 |
| S2 | 2.0 Honda K20 | Eliseparts Hi-Pressure Alu rad | 84-86 |
| S2 | 1.8 Toyota 190 | Standard | 83-86 |
| S2 111S | 1.8 Rover 'K' | 89-91 | |
| S2 111S | 1.8 Rover 'K' | Eliseparts Hi-Pressure Alu rad | 85-86 |
| S2 111S | 1.8 Rover 'K' | PRT with PEL500150 | 84-85 |
| S1 | 1.8 Rover 'K' | Rover PRT 82° stat | 80-81 |
| S1 | 1.8 Rover 'K' | 87-89 | |
| 1999 S1 | 1.8 Rover 'K' | 86 |
Fan
The service manual states the fans at the front should automatically switch on when the coolant temperature rises 101/102°C. The temperature should then fall and the fan switches off when the temperature drops below 98/96°C.
Temperature senders
The S1 has two Temperature senders: brown (sends to ECU), blue (sends to dash). The blue temperature sender is notoriously unreliable and often fails, resulting in temperature readings approx 10°C lower than reality. The blue sender is also a "single wire" type which is affected by electrical load. In most cases, a 1°C rise in temperature can be seen when turning on each item of electrical equipment, e.g. headlights, heater fan, windscreen wipers.
The S2 (Rover engine) has a single (black) temperature sender for both ECU and dash. There is a legacy blue housing, part #A111E6047S as in the S1, but it does nothing.
The S2 and S3 (Toyota engine) has a single black temperature sender, although different part numbers in the 1Z and 2Z engines.