Avensis temp gauge

kippy

Hi all,
Have 08, 2.0 litre, diesel avensis.
Now, this may be my down to my own lack of observation in the first months we had the car.
In the past few weeks I have noticed the temperature gauge in the car go up to within 2 notches of the "red" while the engine is working hard, then drop down again to about half when things ease off(normal driving). It can fluctuate like this during a drive very easily.
From cold the gauge acts as normal (at cold and slowly rises to middle, only fluctuating when going up hill/higher revs but coming back down again.

This isnt standard behaviour in my Ford but it MAY be in the Avensis, I just havent noticed it before.
Can anyone assist me in clarifying whether I should get this looked it?
Kippy

MarkR

I don't think I've ever seen mine go above the half way mark, and i've done a lot of miles. Check coolant / oil etc?

jimmyw

Rad could be partially blocked, thermostat could be faulty.maybe when it happens again,or even try from cold, try touching both rad pipes (be careful of hot parts, fan etc).Are either pipe extra hot?Top one should be hotter initially but cool down as it goes through the rad and fan on or either car moving.

Avns1s

It's certainly not normal. I would get it checked as soon as possible. Check the coolant initially.

It could be a faulty thermostat. If you leave it, you could be facing a Head Gasket problem which will be an expensive repair on that car.

It could also be a faulty temp sender which won't do any harm but you will need to identify this as the cause and change it.