Thanks 2bling. Haven't flushed the radiator yet as ran out of time over the weekend. My wife drives this car, so we went for a drive on the weekend and I thought it drove well. And when we got home i put my hand on the top of the inlet manifold and it wasnt that hot. This is after 50mins each way driving mixed traffic. This is the problem the car gets overly hot (not red) on the gauge but doesn't feel extra hot.
I disconnected the bottom radiator sensor tonight to keep the aux fan on high as it hasnt been coming on unless the air con is on. So maybe it is the ECT temperature sensor under the throttle body or both. The temp on the gauge doesn't move from 1 fifth from red but it is definitely worrying me. The rubber trapped in the thermostat spring looked like an old oring. I hosed out the fins of the radiator yesterday and lots of crudd came out but nothing has changed the temperature gauge in cabin.
Can in flush the radiator in place by dumping the systems coolant and taking off the bottom rad hose and forcing water through the top hose? . I don't have a rad cap on the radiator?