I checked the fans, they do have some life. If you turn the air con on, they cut in about 30 secs later.
but i have yet to see them cut in due to engine temp!?

took it for another drive this morning, aftet 30 mins driving it got to about 95c and started to steam. (i pulled over for 10 mins and then drove slowly home.

touched the left hand rad pipe again, guess what, cold. yet i couldnt touch the right hand one too hot.

so i took the thermostat off, checked it twice in boiling water. did nothing both times. i assume its supposed to open at about 88c (is that correct?)
anyway. ive just put the pipe work back together less the thermo.

so will take it for a drive and see what happens.

im guessing the water temp sensor is on the rad, hence why the fans never cut in as there was no flow through it. the temp needle was at the 'R' of 'norm' when it started steaming, no where near the red, but i guess again if the sensor is in the rad with no flow it wouldnt reflect what was going on in the header tank. as the return flow from the turbo is what i think is making it steam.

anyway lets see if ive cured it? nice to know youve seen temps of 130-40, with no major side effects. mine just went over 100 so thats a little bit of reasurance. Although im in two minds to trust my guages!