Engine Temperture problem Weird

[Jdiddy2k4]

Ok so I recently replaced a failing thermostat with a failsafe model, and it has been working as far as I can tell. Now today I am driving and see that the gauge is a little up and then I am driving some more and then I see it has risen to the 3/4 mark. I let off the gas and the gauge goes down really fast back towards the 1/2 way mark. I get to the garage and pop the hood, and the engine valve cover and the radiator cap are both warm, but not even extremely hot sort oif like the engine isn't even heated up yet and I can put my hands on both without a problem. I don't know if it is the 30 degree weather here and that the hood was recently dented so the heat is getting out or if I should be looking to something under the hood in the engine bay for things such as leaks. Any ideas?

 

[Avionixx]

Did you purge the cooling system of air properly?

 

[drewvr4]

Next time you drive it and it starts to warm up, shut it off and open the hood.

Feel the lower radiator hose and see if its warm or cold. That will eliminate the thermostat or tell thats the problem.

Then let the car cool down take off the radiator cap and add coolant till its back up to a hair below the brim, drive it some more and let us know what happens.

 

[Jdiddy2k4]

I just drove it again and now it isn't even doing it. I drove for a good 30 minutes straight and couldn't repeat the problem even when stepping on the gas. HOWEVER my full overfill bottle is now completely empty just about and it was full just earlier today, so I am guessing this would be the problem and I need to check the cooling system for leaks and replace the hoses correct?

If this is the case, is it just the upper and lower radiator hoses or are the more hoses to the cooling system?

 

[layzie12g]

I had an over heating issue a while back and i thought it was because i removed one of my fans so the j pipe could fit by it. I replaced thermostat and hoses and everything and still had the issue. Andre at Pina motorsports was right all along and it ended up being the radiator. I think alot of people try to do all of the small stuff when they over look the biggest thing thatcould be causing their problem.

 

[Jetrosr]

You got an air pocket. Get it hot and full with the cap off. When the upper radiator hose is so hot you can only grab it for a second, put the cap on and shut it off. Fill the overflow to the hot line and let it sit until its cool (1-2 hours at least, overnight is best). The overflow level should have dropped. If it drains the jug, you may have to repeat and adjust it to the cold mark when its cold.

 

[Jdiddy2k4]

Ok so I just did what you said and doing that I noticed a BIGGER problem . I looked under the car while it was running and there seems to be coolant coming from somewhere. Looking under the car I could see that it was dripping from the metal bar that goes straight down the middle of the car and the drips where dropping fast. So I'm guessing this is the underlying cause of why my overfill bottle is being emptied in one drives worth of time. So now does anyone have any suggestions on what problems I should look for to fix this leak?

 

[Jetrosr]

Recheck the thermostat, thats when the trouble started... unless the 'failing thermostat' problem was the leak in the first place.

By the way, yes, there are several more hoses, especially on these cars.

If you are near a mitsu dealer, the parts dept. can usually print off a picture of all the hoses so you have a map of sorts. Be warned, the high percentage of dealership parts guys are not typically big helpers, so don't be disappointed if you leave empty handed. Some of the parts stores have good pictures in their website catalogs, also.

 

[layzie12g]

check your heater hoses mine leaked too