Engine coolant [temperature] high?

[HooverCJL24]

I have a talon tsi that i just bought, even when i take short drives like 2 miles, my engine coolant gage goes alll the way up. Im not even really hard on the engine, never take it past 4k rpms. I touched the upper radiator hose and my hand about fell off it was so hot. The hoses used look real cheap, what should i replace them with. What else can i do so my engine doesnt heat so much. The temperature outside is about 55 degrees if that helps any.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Well I would repalce them with factory hoses also check to see if you even have any coolant in the car

 

[CowPimp]

I doubt the hose is the problem. However, it can't hurt to replace the hoses. Silicone hoses are much more durable and can withstand higher temparatures. Take a look at our coolant and see if it needs changing (It should be an almost flourescent green if it's still good). As well, make sure your radiator doesn't have any leaks/cracks.

 

[Defiant]

Replace the hoses (Gates from NAPA are fine) and the radiator cap. If that doesn't do it, try replacing the thermostat.

The next suspect after that is a failed plastic impeller in the water pump.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103003&highlight=water+pump

 

[HooverCJL24]

I removed the cap from the coolant resovoir. There is a tube going to the cap, one going down into the fluid then another coming out the side of the cap. The one coming out the side of the cap looks like it just goes straight to the ground. Is that supposed to be connected to something or is it fine. Thanks alot

 

[EuroGSTSpyder]

Its supposed to be like that. Its the owerflow bopttle that you loked in and its purpose is to let out water if the system gets under pressure or if the car heats up to much and start building pressure inside. Its also a way for excessive water to getout if you owerfilled the system.

Check first of all to see if you have correct amount of coolant in the system.Then check to see if the fans are working properly. Also check as said above thermostat and that you have no leaks.

The heaviest part and most unlikely is if the head gasket is gone..but you should see it on ohter stuff hten as well then just the heating.

 

[HooverCJL24]

its my headgasket, anyone have a guide to this, i think my friends and i can do it. and what kind should i get, hks steel?

 

[Eliminat0r]

What HG depends on what you want to do with the car? also i suggest getting some arp bolts for the head. how did you find out its the HG is there a whole crap load of white smoke blowing out car when warm or coolant and oil mixed. dont forget to burp the system of air when you refill the coolant.

 

[HooverCJL24]

well the car overheats like a mother and white smoke occasionally comes out. i think im gonn aget the hks stopper to slap on there...

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Not sure about the HKS HG (im sure its good tho) but most people run the mitsu OEM HG. Just stay away from felpro, they fail within 10K miles!!! If it smokes then it probably is the HG tho. Maybe the overheating caused the HG to blow??

 

[HooverCJL24]

the radiator was just replaced 5 months ago so i doubt thats the problem, although like i said, the hoses look cheap, any other possibilities...?

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Is the t-stat good? (replace it anyway they are pretty cheap and easy to replace but use a mitsu OEM one DONT use anything else!!!) How long ago (if ever) was the water pump replaced? You could replace the hoses (probably not a bad idea) but I doubt that would fix the problem. I think replace the tstat for sure, and maybe water pump if its been a while, and then replace the head gasket. Dont wanna overheat it again! Good luck!

 

[HooverCJL24]

not sure if hte water pump has been replaced recently, not sure about hte t-stat either, where would you recomend that i buy that stuff that wont overcharge me. thanks

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Water pump: http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...5&make=24&model=Eclipse&year=1996&catalogid=1
You need the one in the middle ($97.50)

Thermostat:
http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...8&make=24&model=Eclipse&year=1996&catalogid=1
The one in the middle ($18.95)

Head Gasket:
http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...4&make=24&model=Eclipse&year=1996&catalogid=1
Once again the one in the middle ($39.80)

About the HG, I'm not sure if thats the exact one that people recommend to use, but for the t-stat and water pump thats probably the cheapest you can find it. Conicelli is the cheapest place to buy new OEM parts. Dont worry the eclipse shit will work with your talon

EDIT just wanted to tell u that there are other gaskets that should be replaced when you take the head off. I dont know which ones tho...wait for somebody else to chime in .

 

[xcelr8n]

alright, you could just be leaking coolant, or have a bad thermostat, doa compression test, before you assume head gasket for sure.
and by the looks of it unless one of youre friends is a mechanic, no you cant change it yourself, (hg that is)

 

[HooverCJL24]

a couple of my friends are mechanics actually, how much is a compression test and where should i get it done. Ill try replacing the thermostat tomorrow

 

[flipnoy213]

did you try waiting for the fan to come on, maybe the motor brush worn out, or the wiring to the fan motor messed up.

 

[HooverCJL24]

the fan was on, it was after a 20 min highway drive, the coolant gauge was allllll the way up and then i turned the car off for a couple of min, tryed to turn it back on and it sounded like a tractor and stalled out. i waited bout 30 min, then it turned on normally...

 

[flipnoy213]

your prob running lean which causes the engine to heat up quickly, i dont know maybe that was a stupid thought

 

[SpeedFreak03]

flipnoy, no offense but your shooting out very far-fetched answers to his problem. A car with a new FMIC, piping, BOV, and a air filter wont run lean. And the fan motor brush thing, i dont know what to say to that

Anyway just pick up a compression tester at pep boys or any auto parts store, usually around $20. Then follow this guide: http://www.dsmgrrrl.com/FAQs/compression.htm

Most places charge around $50 to do a compression test, so its cheaper this way, and you get to keep the tool ! BTW just wanted to say it would be a good idea to get ARP head studs since you will have the head off. Check out the VFAQ (its a 1G VFAQ but it will give you an idea of what they are) http://www.vfaq.com/mods/headstuds.html

Now replacing a head gasket isn't an easy task - but you will learn ALOT about your car. You have to take off tons of shit, so it will take you a while the first time but you will learn plenty. Also pick up a new timing belt while your at it (the site from the PM looked like a good place to buy it) no sense reusing an old belt if you take it off anyway. Here is a kick-ass VFAQ for changing the timing belt on 2Gs - http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-2G.html

Good luck with everything, anymore questions feel free to ask!

 

[HooverCJL24]

hey guys, just wanted to update you, i started to change the headgasket. the old one looks deterieated so i sure as hell hope thats the problem. Also when i drained the coolant it looked to have oil mixed in it. These symptoms are the headgasket correct? or can it be something worse :thumbdown . THanks

 

[mclerc]

my 91 tsi is having the same exact prob. drove the car about 5-6 miles before the temp gauge started creeping above 1/2 up. we drove it with the coolant resevior cap off and it spewed coolant everywhere (which someone told me was definately a gasket prob). i know the waterpump+radiator are fine. BUT i also know there was no coolant in the oil or visa versa. the car runs REALLY smooth, so the heads/valves are OK. just wants to heat up a lil bit...