Temp gauge

[Venum]

A few weeks ago I noticed that my temp gauge was a bit higher than normal. Usually the needle is exactly at the half way mark, not above or below, but exactly and it stays there all the time when I drive around (which is good) BUT the other day I noticed that my needle was creeping above the 'normal' point, but in a matter of seconds it went back down.

This morning when I was driving to school the needle did this numerous times, it went up....then stayed there for maybe 15 seconds and then went back down. BTW this is all in 5th gear.

When the needle goes up I was NOT accelerating and it happend once after I got off the interstate while I was stopped and idling. I'm not completely sure if the needle has to do with my acceleration/deacceleration or not.

Anyways, any ideas? I know this isn't a HUGE issue right now, but I believe in maintaining a healthy car. Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.





Forgot to add that I have checked the coolant levels and they are normal. Also, I could see no leaks in my hoses or puddles under my car. Thanks again guys.

 

[Defiant]

Replace the thermostat and radiator cap to start with.

 

[Venum]

Alright Defiant, I'll do that. Thanks man.

 

[RSTwnnabe]

Hey, im having the SAME exact thing with my 98gsx. No leakin coolant, no puddles. the needle will rise,then fall, time after time. sometiems it will acually burry, and then fall back again. Thing is , i just replaced the thermostat with a cooler one. it opens at 180, as opposed too 195. Still does it. The radiator cap is good, theres no coolant coming out of it. its not a head gasket, or cracked head, the compresion was 150 all the way, the leakdown test was fine. So, i was thinking water pump maybe? but i dont know how to check to see if its bad or not. any suggestions?
dave

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Make sure when you change your thermostat that you completly flush out the radiator and everything with water. Just changing the thermostat might not do it because I've found that some vehicles with the original anti-freeze in them can be chorosive(sp?) and cause the springs on the thermostat to stiffen up and not want to open. I would also go back to the 195 thermostat. You don't want it always open cause then you are circulating fluid to fast and it isn't doing as affective of a job cooling. As far as the needle moving. Is it your stock or aftermarket gauge. Cause an aftermarket one should move. Mine does, it will build to 195, thermostat opens, then it drops to 180ish then builds back up and does it the whole time I'm driving. That's when you know its working.

 

[Venum]

All my gauges are stock, haven't changed anything (radiator cap or thermostat). I guess my needle is telling me that the thermostat is working cuz it always starts to go back down at the same point, but I dunno what changed from a few weeks ago till now.

Is it somehow possible that the thermostat is just opening at a higher temp now even though I didn't adjust it or tamper with it?

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Yea, but when that is happening that means that it's going bad.