My temp gauge stays about halfway normally

How does the cooling system work?does the thermostat let cold water through the system?The water pump pumps the water around the system.And the Fan cools the radiator.But if the water pump fails would the fan still work or is it all thrown off balance?

The stat keeps the coolant "within the engine" till temp has reached 88 C or thereabouts, then the gate to the rad opens.

If the pump fails, the fan would still work when the coolant in the radiator gets warm enough. But without a properly working pump circulation and cooling will be insufficient and it will take some time before the water starts to move around in the system through self-circulation.

What makes you suspect pump fail?

Re. thermostat - I recall that my old Nissan overheated twice - once due to a leaking pipe, once because I hadn't checked coolant level properly At both instances the stat broke (probably as a result of overheating) giving me the "low gauge" symptom. So maybe this has happened to you too.

So if the fan's not kicking in then its def the rad fan switch at fault.

I'd best get saving cause at 120k miles apart from the belt and water punp change I mikght also get the rad changed too

If the rad is not rusty on the cores (some corrosion on the fins is okay) and no signs of any coolant leaks the rad should not need replacing, at best take rad out and reverse flush with a hose and keep turning it upside down to help any debris come out, then should be okay probably most important is to use correct antifreeze spec and the right dilution, not sure on Skoda but 50% is normally about right to prevent corrosion.

Well my Felicia is now a member of the "bodge" community

Since the rad fan was cutting in rather late we've got a makeshift solution

Wire a switch into the cabin!!! So now when the temp gauge hits halfway I'll flick the switch and turn the fan on.

Dunno what the problem is though but as long as this makeshift fix works it'll give me time to save for the major service in 10k miles provided nothing else goes pop

Thats my manually operated radiator fan switch!!!

and i thought i was lord bodge

Did you name yourself as King Bodge?

Also another thing that popped into my head was Bodger and Badger!!

:rofl:

And I didnt have mashed potato that day otherwise that would have been pure coincidental!!

Bodgetastic!!!

And thanks firewall for blocking the poker site.