I know this topic has probably been done to death, but I'm still not entirely sure, despite having dredged through the numerous threads on this already.

My temp gauge will not reach the usual 1/2 point which it always has done (Fabia 1.4 16v).

1) It does not however, ever read zero, unless completely cold - this rules out failing temp sender does it?

2) 2 weeks ago I replaced the fan switch seal and replaced the coolant. Could an airlock have lead to this? I was under the impression that an airlock would cause overheating. This morning I ran the engine with the header tank cap off, and squeezed the rad bottom hose; very small bubbles appeared in the coolant. I was squeezing for about 10 mins, after which I gave up!

3) From the threads I've seen, the thermostat seems the most likely culprit. Worth replacing as a first try?

From the signs I describe, would it be safe to drive ~1 hour to wigan today?

Thanks,

Rob

could be the thermostat sticking on the open or slightly open position!!!

to rule out air in the system - run the car with the heater on full (heat and speed) until the car reaches normal operating temp (about 5 - 10 mins should do if i remember from working on the older cars I've had) and that will force any air right round the system and into the expansion tank.

all that'll happen if it does not reach normal operating temp is that you'll use a bit more juice!!

How long do you drive for for the gauge to not reach vertical? If you don't drive far, could it just be that the fresh coolant has a higher heat capacity, and so is better at transferring heat from the engine to the radiator?

Like MikeC says, you shouldn't do any harm running the engine a little cold, and your trip to Wigan will give the engine ample opportunity to warm up!

Thanks - trip to wigan accomplished without car melting, so thats a bonus!

Car still didn't warm up fully (it did get close), so reckon I'll be replacing the thermostat. Quite impressed I still got over 45mpg even without it fully warming up.

Thanks,

Rob

Honest change thermostat not sensor or amything else mine took 3 goes by garage before correct and it is thermost, even skoda dealer admit it is common fault.