c2dweller

But I wanted to mention some other observations:

Clicking from the footwell - sounds like a relay working overtime.
Battery discharged itself in a few hours - although its been OK since

I see 9/10 o'clock on oil temperature when normally it is <7/8. Oil cooler is cold, even after 20 mins driving.

Anything else to check before removing the bl**dy sill covers ??

Cheers, Lee

John Boggiano

Can't see that a relay would be involved.

Have you got ultrasonic sensors on the rear shelf? When mine started to fail, the alarm relay in the passenger footwell was constantly ticking away to itself.

Thermostat might be going AWOL too though, by the sound of it.

964russ

Stat does corrode, normally leaks oil behind side sill cover.
I removed sill cover and found a strange oily mud that had collected from years of slight leak from stat.
New stat v expensive, got a minter of flea bay for £70 ish.

c2dweller

Whipped off the sill cover and confirmed the thermostat seems to be the obstacle. One nice hot pipe going in and two cold ones coming out to the cooler. There was another feeding back to the tank that seemed a bit cool and empty - I'm assuming this one is a return to the tank.

Waited for temp to read about 8/9 o clock, so it should have opened by this point.

I do have ultrasonic sensors, so this is probably the cause of the noise. More problems

(The time waiting for the engine to warm gave me a chance to a do a few tests to improve my slightly lumpy idle... this seems to suggest I need HT leads too )

John Boggiano

Just put a blob of Blu-Tak on each sensor to disable it - see if the clicking stops.

Crystal Cranks

The clicking could be your immobiliser clicking on/off, but if this is happening you would not be able to start the car. Unlocking and locking the doors should stop it.

c2dweller

Thanks for the alarm tips

Once the oil thermostat is fixed I will move attention to this. Today is an unusually nice day in the UK and my car is setting in the garage waiting for bits....