Even if I'm absolutely gunning it. Possible problems? I'm getting the correct mpg and the rad hoses haven't exploded so I'm guessing it *should* be ok? Maybe my rad is just super efficient?

How far up the gauge is it getting, that engine does have a cooler opening thermostat to get fluid flowing quicker mind.
Adam

It'll get up to half way, never bothered me in the winter but now the weather is hot and lots of traffic I was kinda expecting it to go over that. So probably nothing to worry about then?

my 1.4 with full load of people and luggage, uphill struggling a bit in 4th for 10 minutes got about 1mm past middle. it doesnt go past middle unless its really overheated so I read... so long as the temp is betwenn 70 and 110 or something it will stay dead middle, only severe overheating will start moving it towards the end of the scale, the light will flash when this happens too.

If its always the same, the thermostat is working and will not change much no matter how hard you drive it (given normal UK conditions). Could still be limited on the thermostat (say some deposits on the shaft) or just the wrong grade. Many motor factors specified the wrong (cooler) thermostats for many Volvos. The thermostat should be matched to the gauge, so it reads in the middle when its up to temp.

If it very low in winter (say 1/5 full scale) and higher in summer it could just be stuck open.

The F7's have different thermostats to the 1.7, they certainly behave differently.

The engine wasn't designed for having lots of airflow around the block, nor very long coolant hoses and ends up running colder than you'd expect. Add to that on the motorway the 16V engine is working significantly less hard than your old 1.7 which will also make it run cooler.

interesting this, mine has been over half a while ago almost to the lines but didnt light up. tonight when i got a hole in the rad and lost most of the fluid (reservoir was empty) it didnt budge past half way after 20 minutes of driving with a slipping clutch - is that just good swedish engineering or is it well and truly fcuked?

Depends where the hole is, if the water drops below the pump it can't keep the head cool. In cool countries you don't usually need the pressure, in fact if you have a small leak loosening the cap will help the coolant last longer. The B200's can drop half way down the rad before cooling is lost. Once water stops flowing around the head you're stuffed and into overheat territory.

the leak was right bang in the middle pretty much, popped an egg in and its fine now

I have the same question about the teperature gauge...

no, you need a new thermostat or the correct one. Thats usually the offset I have seen in the past when the wrong thermostat is fitted. Check your owners manual for the correct thermostat opening temperature, and compare with the one that in, it should be marked with the temperature.

Cheked the manual and it should be open at 92°C (B19E)...I'll check the fitted one...like you said, it should be the wrong number...
Is there any problem if the engine runs cooler ???
As far as I remember I changed the gauge temperature sensor with one that has this volvo part number : 460191...Is this the correct one ???
Thanks a lot for your help
David.

the Smith sets as above do have a habit of showing a lower gauge reading than it actually is.

if it stands somewhat the same when it's 25degr outside; it's fine with the Smith clockset; on a VDO it would read out nearly perfect in the middle..