Bad thermistat, or somthing worse?

[Dixon905]

I drive a 420a, it has treated me good for the most part. But I had just noticed that my temperature gage was higher than normal, so I kept my eye on the gage ,and started to accelerate then all of a sudden, it had jumped up to almost red line. I wad instantly scared, so I had pulled over popped the hood checked my antifreeze, it was right below the medium mark, and my oil was fine. I am stummped! My car has 147000 miles on it and it needs a head gasket soon, dose that have anything to do the the gage spiking. I need help!

 

[untouchablecc]

When was the last time the thermostat and radiator cap were changed

 

[Dixon905]

I Dont know I bought the car with 130000 I replaced the water pump at like 135000

 

[untouchablecc]

Might wanna start with those 2 things first because they are the cheapest and most likely cause. You can also take the car for a drive then pop the hood and just touch the upper radiator hose and then the lower and you can tell if the thermostat is opening or not. If the bottom one is ice cold then you know its not opening but it wont open untill the car gets to 180-190 depending on the temp rating on it. If its stuck shut it wont open at all causing an over heating issue.

 

[Dixon905]

But if it turned out not to be either of them what els could it be?

 

[gieri002]

Yup, it sounds like your thermostat is stuck closed. Not a big deal. Take it out, place it in boiling water and see if it opens. If not, you found your problem.

 

[that_gst]

A new thermostat costs about 10-15 dollars at any autoparts store. Its really simple to remove. Its the easiest and cheapest way to find out if thats whats cousing your high temperature problem. You can also try running your car without the thermostat. if you notice any temperature differences than its the thermostat. Good luck bud.

 

[Dixon905]

Thanks everyone! I will get to ripping her apart soon I will keep you posted

 

[eDiTicX]

I was kind of having the same problem but mine also consisted of boiling/bubbling. If I'm not mistaken, your cap would let air into the system causing the boiling/bubbles if it were bad (someone please correct if I'm wrong). The cap for the turbo was less than 10$ and so was the thermostat at auto zone. Really easy to replace, two bolts. Don't forget the rtv silicone and thermostat gasket

 

[1sick_gst]

Curious to know if you fixed the problem.

 

[PlanZero]

I always check my thermostat by just letting the car run for awhile with the radiator cap off and wait to see the coolant start flowing through. Also make sure your fan turns on when it's supposed to. Might need a radiator flush as well.

 

[Dixon905]

More bad news I drove it home from work "15 minute trip" I did 45mph the whole way to be safe, pulled it in my garage and popped the hood and smelt hot antifreeze and was smoking kinda near the radiator. I did the test to feel the bottom radiator hose and was barely even warm... Then I looked underneath the car and seen dripping..... My heart sank. Please can anyone help? Is it a head gasket. Also I had a little bit of power loss the whole ride home I need help with my daily driver!!!

 

[RallyEclipse98]

I've not heard of a head gasket break causing coolant to leak on the ground, just into the crankcase.

 

[that_gst]

Dont be worried man. Get started on changing the thermostat, since its really cheap. Check for water hoses, some go bad with time and heat. Its definetly not the head gasket. Your car loses power due to over heating. Seems like it does not over heat too much since the computer is not shutting the engine off. You probablt want to flush your radiator as well. Keep us posted after you do this things.

 

[1sick_gst]

If the bottom hose is just "warm", most likely the coolant system is not functioning like it should meaning exchanging the coolant from the radiator throughout the system. Put the thermostat in a hot pot of boiling water and see if it opens as that is the easiest way to find out the problem.

Also, you noticed a leak due to the system being pressurized and not flowing. Therefore the coolant has nowhere to go besides the weakest exit if the tstat is stuck closed. Radiator cap, worn hoses, tstat housing, etc. Keep us informed.

 

[PlanZero]

No need to mention most radiators are plastic junk, especially if it's still original. Once one small leak starts the whole thing seems to disintegrate, wreaking havoc on your whole cooling system. I got a new radiator and hoses from rock auto.com for under $70. Pretty easy to replace. Better safe than sorry, assuming your thermostat is OK.

 

[Dixon905]

Got and installed the new thermostat and gasket! It opend up and held temperature. All good unroll I looked underneath the car and antifreeze was dripping. Shit! I am guessing that it is a bad radiator and too much pressure for the 140000 mile old radiator

 

[1sick_gst]

What area is the leak coming from? The radiator itself? Look into it before you make an asumption.

 

[Dixon905]

Got the radiator out and tested for leaks. Found one!!! One big one, about the same as my piss stream hahaha. So toinighr I am going on rockauto.com to get a oem radiator for under 90$! With shipping

 

[PsYcHoMaNtYsS]

my thermostat has a needle sticking out of it so i usually just test it by pressing on it with a flathead. but once after my car had gotten overheated it cause another leak where the heater hose goes to the male fitting on top the tranny, from just being old and worn out, so keep any eye on those hoses if they haven't been replaced yet

 

[1sick_gst]

Got the radiator out and tested for leaks. Found one!!! One big one, about the same as my piss stream hahaha. So toinighr I am going on rockauto.com to get a oem radiator for under 90$! With shipping

NICE!!! Let us know if your problem is soon fixed.

 

[Dixon905]

Good news everyone! Got my new radiator in and thermostat, everything works great. My car actually runs a little bit cooler than it normally did. Thanks everyone for saving me a bunch of stress!

 

[Dixon905]

Eveything works!! Thanks everyone for the help!!

 

[DJ Raydiate]

At least you found it while parked. I had my upper radiator inlet break off on me going down the road. Not the first sign of a leak or over heating or anything. Glad you got it fixed.

 

[needbooost]

Is the alternator/water pump belt still on? Our cars are known to ditch this belt when your harmonic balancer is bad.