Month or so back my 1986 Efi Rangie spat out its water pump.
I replaced it with a cheap and cheerful Paddocks part, which bolted on perfectly.
However, she does now run a lot hotter than previous. The Temp gauge hovers probably over the 3/4 mark, nearer 7/8 but a little out of the red. Slightly oddly, the engine temperature is quite stable at this level: the gauge moves up to this point quickly (within a couple of minutes or so) then stays there. Even when towing a 2 ton boat at motorway speeds, the needle does not climb any higher.
I'm probably going to throw a new thermostat on, for the sake of a fiver or so it seems a sensible first step.
However, at the back of my mind I'm wondering if I should have spent a little more money on a genuine water pump, rather than a pattern part. Is it possible the new pump is under-performing. Anyone got experience good or bad?
Any other suggestions why she should be running so much hotter than before (when the temperature gauge would rarely reach half way).
I know that the radiator can become partially blocked, but I expect this would occur gradually, rather tha a step change.
Where should the temp. gauge settle anyway?
Thanks
david
ps Uses no water or oil.