quiz: why is my car overheating

[tdafforn]

Hi guys,
Quick one..
I have just rebuilt the engine on my +2S130 including a rebuilt 3 row radiator.
while driving it in cool weather (<5oC) car is fine.
When driving it today got caught in traffic. Temperature raised a llittle above normal. fan went on. left traffic, drive car on open road, fan stays on and temperature stays high.
caught in traffic again, temperature gets a little higher, drive one open road, temp stays at this temperature.
Same cycle one more time, now temp is getting close to red zone.
The notice that the ambient temp gauge is reading 50oC (its only 10oC outside)
What have I done to my car?
(I have sorted it now, but I was wondering whether anyone else can guess what is happening)
Clue: this is probably one of the few times when an ambient temp guage can be used to diagnose an problem with the engine!!
Cheers
Tim

PS virtual beer to the first correct answer

[pamitchell]

Trash blocikng the the grill?
Phil

[archigator]

Kinked lower radiator hose?

Fan blowing backwards?

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint
Miami, Florida

[tower of strength]

rebuilt engines can be tight for the first thousand miles or so and this can lead to over heating, however I would suggest the fan is blowing the wrong way, hence your ambient is getting warm!!

Mark

P.s. Mines an Adnams Broadside

[Craig Elliott]

Yep, I'd go with the connections on the fan being reversed, thus making it blow backwards too...

I've seen this on another +2 and it's a good thing to catch because I'd guess you could end up burning the fan motor out if you drive at a reasonable speed with the fan trying to blow the air back out of the air intake.

Craig

[neilsjuke]

Air lock, I filled the baby elan via the heater hose removed from the valve on head by gravity.

[1964 S1]

...was it really overheating?

[john.p.clegg]

Yep,check the accuracy of the temp gauge....could be a mismatch of sender and gauge or even slightly naff voltage stabiliser/regulator...

John

P.S.
recently picked up an infra red thermometer from maplin and is good for

Checking thermostat housing temp.
Exhaust runners temp
Tyre temps?
etc.
etc.

[ppnelan]

Fan blowing backwards?

I concur...

Matthew

[tdafforn]

Guys, you are fantastic...
most of you guessed correctly, fan blowing backwards!!!
As I said, the ambient temperature gauge said it all. Perhaps I should rename it dumb present owner detection gauge!!
Tim