[RESOLVED] Coolant temperature

[mieszkoj]

Hi Guys. I came across a problem, while driving; my coolant temperature will go all the way to high, than after few minutes the gauge needle will drop to half. I am not sure if the fan kicks in, what if it does not, how do I proceed? Thank you.

 

[agentorange313]

I guess start with the basics.

Did you check your coolant levels?
Turn your car on with the radiator cap off and see if you see the coolant flowing through your engine.

Your temp gauge might be broken, you might wanna see if you can replace it, I really don't know a way to test it though, you might find it on the forum.

 

[luv2rallye]

Ground the single red-yellow wire temp sensor on the thermostat housing. Gauge should read highest when key is on.

 

[mieszkoj]

Thanks for your info guys, today the needle stayed in the middle hmmm weird. Will report if this happens again

 

[nightracer91]

My 1G did that, it ended up being the thermostat. I would stick closed until it go so hot that it would finally open then work properly from there.

 

[Jorge50505]

well the other day i was driving to San antonio all of the sudden my ac turns off and the water temperature needle sky rockets.
i pull over immediately open the hood let it cool for 10 minutes.
then i turn it back on and the needle starts going up again.
i opened the radiator and found there wasn't any water.
i forgot to check the radiator every so often now that i bought it 5 months ago.
but now that i push my car hard after 3 hard runs it starts to heat up again.

 

[mieszkoj]

Car been runinng fine. today was hot and humid and after driving 10 mins on the hwy the needle on the guage went all the way to high.. It seems the temp stays at 50/50 when its cooler outside hmmmm

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Get a logger to check what your coolant temperature is really at. A new sending unit from autozone is only like 5 bucks or something so replace that too. My stock guage shows over heating but my logger and after market guage show normal temps. I learned not to trust those gauges anymore

 

[Mock]

Hi Guys. I came across a problem, while driving; my coolant temperature will go all the way to high, than after few minutes the gauge needle will drop to half. I am not sure if the fan kicks in, what if it does not, how do I proceed? Thank you.

Sounds just like my problems. When im on the highway gauage is almost at the top, but will be normal if i slow down to 65 or 70. Otherwise normal driving its perfectly fine.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Sounds like a typical sticking thermostat. They stick till it gets hot and then it will click open and cool down the engine. I'd replace that first since it's only like $10 or less. I had a brand new one that did the same thing. So, before you put the new one in put it in a pan full of water put it on the stove on Hi with a thermometer. Then you can tell at what temperature the T-stat opens. Plus you can verify it's operation.

 

[mieszkoj]

Super. Will go to Napa auto parts tomorrow get the thermostat. Will update once i put it in

 

[ryan11]

+1 on the thermostat, I had the same type of problems and it turned out to be the thermostat sticking.

 

[mieszkoj]

Hi. Changed the thermostat today. Still same problem. Bahhhhh. The coolant in the res tank is cool but the hose that goes to the rad is hot hot. Any other ideas?

 

[No_Skillz]

Let it idle and watch it to make sure the fans are coming on. Don't let it get hotter than 3/4s of the way up or you will warp your head.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Water pump not moving fluid?

 

[mieszkoj]

The fluid is being pumped slowly. Not to sure how fast it should go. The overheating will start about 10 minutes while driving on the hwy. Guess ill have to take it in to check the water pump.

 

[mieszkoj]

so i idled the car today for 20 mins. gave it some gas and white smoke is comming out of the exhaust. Head gasket went?

 

[dsmcurse]

black smoke means fuel, blue smoke means oil, and white smoke means water. if your havin white smoke, and i mean white. then yeah your burnin water in the combustion chamber. hopefully head gasket just lifted and your head didnt warp. did you drive it with the temp gauge pegged fully hot? it takes alot longer than one would think to warp head but its always possible to be the unlucky guy that has it happen to. yep. your gonna have to pull head off change gasket and have machine shop man give your head a once over check. sorry dude, and good luck.

 

[mieszkoj]

Thanks for your input. I had the car towed to my mechanic will let you know what went wrong.

 

[Dserge]

I just went through this problem.

I got a 180 Thermostat, flushed the raidator, put in a good mix of coolant and then slapped on a nice new radiator cap. Guess what? Stays in the dead center 100% of the time again never ever ever moves.

Maybe even want to use water wetter.

After you drive it a day make sure you check it again and top it off if needed one last time.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

1. Replace radiator cap
2. Replace thermostat
3. Burp the system so all air is out. VFAQ can tell you how to do that.
4. Buy a logger or borrow one to see what temp you are really at

 

[miniturbo23]

Do that and do water wetter and distil water no coolant.
A after market radiator and good slim fans would help too..

 

[mieszkoj]

Hi Guys. Well turned out to be the Radiator. Got a new one and everything is good! YEY!