engine running hot

[p_282]

Hi, I'm new here. I had a Maestro years ago and recently bought a very nice Maestro 1.3 clubman. I've only driven it a few times so far and it seems to run quite hot. Is this normal for them, and if not, any ideas? I've checked most of the usual stuff but any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers

[e692wtt]

Welcome to the forums :) .

Is the engine running hot according to the gauge? Is it a model with automatic choke? Have you checked the temperature of the coolant in the expansion tank with the engine hot, as this will show definitively if the engine is running hot or not.

If you can confirm if it's an auto choke model or not, that would be helpful (on models with an automatic choke, a signal is sent from the coolant temperature sensor to the Fuel ECU which then generates a 'synthetic' signal of what it thinks the coolant temperature actually is to the temperature gauge - the coolant temperature sensor isn't like on other BL cars like Mini and Metro, as it works on a different principle).

Checking the temperature of the water in the expansion tank with a thermometer (any that reads to 100 degC) with the engine 'hot' will show if there's a problem or not :) .

[p_282]

Thanks for the reply - it's a manual choke, not automatic, and yes, it's running hot according to the gauge. I haven't tried a thermometer in the expansion tank yet, but will do when I can get a thermometer.
There seems to be a leak of water somewhere as the driver's side footwell always seems soggy when I lift the carpet up. I've mopped it out with rags a couple of times and soaked up what I can with newspapers, but it seems to come back. I'm baffled because the coolant level doesn't seem to be falling (which might have accounted for the water into the footwell), and I suffered a heater matrix leak on my first maestro so I know what that's like: the water all ends up in the passenger side. In this maestro, the passenger side is bone dry. I had the car up on axle stands today and couldn't see anything amiss underneath, and I've had a good rummage around the back of the heater matrix and can't feel any water there.
The sunroof and headlining look fine, and there's no evidence of water coming in through the driver's door, so like I say: baffled.
Any further ideas or advice greatly appreciated.