Sean's (& Ed's & Scott's) Astor GTi6

[Ed Doe]

Crikey what a weekend! I'm still reeling a bit, it was a long old slog in the cold on Sunday to get everything (or nearly everything) sorted.

On sunday the target was the following;

1. Replace engine loom
2. Replace O/S F wishbone
3. Replace ovalled hub
4. Sort out bent lower strut brace
5. Fit buckets & harnesses


We managed to get all but the ovalled hub changed, which is really annoying. The replacement hub came off my diablo '6, and being the clever sort I am, I took it off with the driveshaft as I didn't have a hub socket and breaker bar handy. Trying to take a hub nut off when the thing isn't connected to the car is a NIGHTMARE. Sam even welded a plate to the driveshaft and then stuck it in a vice and hung off the breaker bar but with no luck at all. So I've got a brand spanking new wishbone in the old knackered hub. which is IDEAL :S

That aside the only issues with the wiring loom are that some of the plugs were different for the same sensor (nice one peugeot, good continuity there), so Niall had to raid the old loom for some of the plugs. No biggie and all sorted, but there are teething problems;

1. We didn't replace the reverse plug, so that still needs doing
2. The oil level sensor has a dodgy connection (waves between max & min fast for 3secs, then goes to zero again, but oddly worked fine when I turned the car on this morning?? but then did the wavey thing again when I turned it to accessories in the carpark at work having just turned it off?)
3. The engine temperature; more below…


Basically, I turned it on last night, and left it idling in the drive whilst sorting everything out and tidying up. I then got in, and the temperature was at about 80-ish. By the time I'd got to the end of the drive, it was above 90…. Driving the 6miles home, it stayed prettymuch bang on 90 the whole time, even though I was pottering it (no revs or hard acceleration). When I got to the fuel station, I turned it off, and when I turned it to accessories after filling, the temp went to 70. As soon as I started it, it went up to 90 again….???

Now this morning, I got to work and the coolant temp was up at 90. I wanted to check the operation of the fans, so left it idling. It got to the line above 90, then I unplugged the fans to cool it down. BEFORE unplugging the fans, I noted the rad was hot, but only the bottom 2/3s. After 2mins of the fans running, I felt the rad and it was practically stone cold……?!?!

Anyone got any ideas? Could it be the thermostat? Is the thermostat electrically controlled, or is it completely mechanical?

Any help on this much appreciated, it's not a huge issue right now as it's not 'overheating' per se, but I want to get it sorted and running as it should be asap so I can stop worrying like a big girls blouse about it!!


I have to say a MASSIVE thanks to Niall & Sam; Niall did all the engine loom, and sorted bits when I struggled and then decided I couldn't fix it, and Sam stayed on until about 8pm to get the bucket subframes sorted out and fitted. Complete friggin legends both of you, I'd be screwed without you! #Manlove

And also thanks to Fooby for being about all day and helping where he could, and for just staying with us even though it was facking freezing all day! I wouldn't have blamed you this time for going to sit in the car and play angry birds hahaha!!