What coolant temp is to high.

[321]

Hi, I recently had a overheating problem. The problem is my temp guage never showed as over heating. I drove the veh. at most 5 miles, and when I got out the car and was walking away I noticed coolant pooring out of the overflow. I have replaced the thermostat, coolant temp sensors (3), and the radiator cap. What I want to know is, does anyone have accurate info on what is to high of a coolant temp? I have a data logger and I logged a temp. of, 194 deg. while cruising and 213 deg. at a stop, after installing the above parts. I have researched peoples opinion on this site; however they often conflict with each other. Am I still running hot? If you have info on the overheating temp. please also let me know where you found this info. Thank you.

 

[droppinbottom]

I personally would not see a problem with those temps. I see higher temps while driving down the highway at 70mph. Ofcourse my problem is that I added a fmic and I need to get a new fan.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

I had similar issues. The logger has never showed more than 212 degrees, but had coolant boil several times. I really don't know what to think. Time to tap a new temp gauge I guess.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've had the problem since I flushed and refilled my radiator. How is your coolant to water ratio?

 

[321]

Please bare with me, this is my first time doing this (thread). I hope i am doing this right. I just recently bought and installed a Koyo radiator. I am sure my water to coolant ratio is presently off due to refilling with water when boiling over (didn't have coolant). I have now driven the car about 3 times 10 miles each and it hasn't boiled over again yet. Rewired slim fans so that both come on at the same time and cruise temp reached 206 deg. and 209.3 at idle. Still frustrated over this issue. Thanks guys for taking the time to respond. Thank you!

 

[nightspeed87]

i made it so that my cooling fans stay on all the time when the ignition is on and before i put my new engine in i had a serious water pump leak and i was constantly putting stop leak in and i got it to stop leaking for bout a month, but i was filling it up with water, and i was running nothing but water in there for like a month and for some reason i didnt have any overheating problems... ( i know thats not good to run the engine on water, but i was almost done building up the new engine at the time and didnt really care ) ..... what is the worse that couldve happend from running complete water in the engine just to keep in reference for the future if i dont have any coolant around?

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

Flush and drain your radiator. Anything less than 30/70 coolant to water will cause corosion. I usually go for about 60% water, give or take depending on the season. More coolant = higher boiling and lower freezing temp. More water = better cooling capabilities.

 

[GVR4592]

Hi, I recently had a overheating problem. The problem is my temp guage never showed as over heating. I drove the veh. at most 5 miles, and when I got out the car and was walking away I noticed coolant pooring out of the overflow. I have replaced the thermostat, coolant temp sensors (3), and the radiator cap. What I want to know is, does anyone have accurate info on what is to high of a coolant temp? I have a data logger and I logged a temp. of, 194 deg. while cruising and 213 deg. at a stop, after installing the above parts. I have researched peoples opinion on this site; however they often conflict with each other. Am I still running hot? If you have info on the overheating temp. please also let me know where you found this info. Thank you.

If you are using distilled water and coolant (30/70, 60/40 or whatever), and you are maintaining pressure(no leaks) those temps should be fine. They are a little high but they won't cause damage to your engine.

I personally would not see a problem with those temps. I see higher temps while driving down the highway at 70mph. Ofcourse my problem is that I added a fmic and I need to get a new fan.

You shouldn't get temps that high from only adding a FMIC, you most likely have other issues. Every dsm I've owned has had a fmic and I've never had a problem with temps going up. The stock fan is better than most aftermarket slim fans, with the exception of the SPAL fans. I would go through the system and make sure everything is working properly.

 

[droppinbottom]

GVR4592, With my situation the temps have always been right about 203 before fmic install and after my highway temps seem to climb only when I maintain 70 mph. I removed my stock a/c fan and am going to add a replacement and have the coolant system flushed.

 

[321]

GVR4592, If you don't mind me asking what type of temps are you running? Alsowhat type of climate have you been haven ,where you live? Last question are you running any duct work to the radiator? Thank you.

 

[GVR4592]

The only cooling system modifications I have are a 160 thermostat and a fan controller. I use 30% coolant 70% water. I do have a brand new mitsu water pump and radiator cap. My cruising temps are about 175-180, sitting in traffic temps climb to about 185-195, depending on how long I'm sitting there.. If I do a lot of full throttle driving my temps will be around 185-190.

I have my fan set to come on at 185 instead of the factory setting of 196. Climate varies a lot. 3 weeks ago it was 85-90 degrees, yesterday it was 70 and raining, today it's clear and about 60.

I noticed a significant decrease in knock when I dropped my coolant temps, however a 160 degree thermostat is somewhat of a bandaid for an inadequate cooling system. Running temps below 180 degrees can increase wear on the cylinders and piston rings significantly.

I would suggest getting a 180 degree thermostat, ducting to the radiator and intercooler, a fan controller and getting the best fans you can afford.

 

[SinaiTSi]

Where can you get a fan controller? My fan comes on at 206* and shuts off at 203*, that's what my logger says anyways. My temps are up a little higher than I'd like after my fmic so I ordered another fan, but I'm just curious why mine would come on at a higher temperature.

 

[firehawk]

wow...my temps are off the charts then. My logger reads temps around 220ish near all the time. Yesterday it got to about 240ish. I dont lose coolant, but i definatley shut off the car once i noticed overheating. Ive had this problem for a while...its not the headgasket, already did that. I had the head checked...it is flat w/o any signs of warping. I know my water pump is working. I have a 19psi greddy rad cap so it will be about 255 before water would even boil. im running around a 50/50 mix....maybe a little more water than coolant. I have a short route fmic a fluidyne rad, and slim fans yet it still overheats....drastically i guess. If mine would run 212 regularly i would be doin backflips. idk...im gonna drive around w/ no bumper cover on...see if that helps push airflow. Oh yeah...and my tstat isnt sticking either...checked that also.

 

[itsover]

use that redline waterwetter ( spell ), that stuff really work.

 

[SinaiTSi]

wow...my temps are off the charts then. My logger reads temps around 220ish near all the time. Yesterday it got to about 240ish. I dont lose coolant, but i definatley shut off the car once i noticed overheating. Ive had this problem for a while...its not the headgasket, already did that. I had the head checked...it is flat w/o any signs of warping. I know my water pump is working. I have a 19psi greddy rad cap so it will be about 255 before water would even boil. im running around a 50/50 mix....maybe a little more water than coolant. I have a short route fmic a fluidyne rad, and slim fans yet it still overheats....drastically i guess. If mine would run 212 regularly i would be doin backflips. idk...im gonna drive around w/ no bumper cover on...see if that helps push airflow. Oh yeah...and my tstat isnt sticking either...checked that also.

Wow..... even with a fluidyne radiator and slim fans.

 

[firehawk]

oh...ive used the water wetter also...we have NO clue why it is the way it is..but yeah...even w/ the fluidyne and slim fans

 

[SinaiTSi]

Are you running no heat shields or anything? Even though it isn't directly affecting upon coolant temperature it still will just cause temperatures to rise overall under the hood. Also, maybe a bad temperature sending unit?

 

[firehawk]

no...im not running any heatshields...could that affect it enough to get up to 240?

 

[SinaiTSi]

I don't think that could be the primary reason for temperatures that high, but I can only assume they will lower if you put some on. I know that I didn't run a lower heat shield (o2 housing area) and it killed my alternator. I've also heard of people running significantly lower coolant temps after they wrapped up a big tubular mani. or something. I might try there, just to see where that gets you.

 

[eldiabloz13]

You need to have a heat shield. I dont run turbo but i see my share of temps. Now i dont know the numbers so ill phrase it as "the little needle thingy" . I pulled my heat shields off and they melted wires and threw off a CEL. my engine temps went wayyy up and then i put them back on and my temps stay way lower. The little needle thing was at the mid before now it stays a little lower now. Plus when i put my heat on and windows down the engine temp needle goes to like nothing which i love. Now the radiator burns 24/7 but never over heats. i was going to suggest watterwetter but thats been done.

 

[eldiabloz13]

Ohh and i forgot to add this....sorry for double posting but i remembered last night. If you have such a hard time with the high temps try this link.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224201&highlight=how+i+lowered

 

[321]

Hey, SinaiTsi my fans cut on at 206 and cut of at 203 aswell. All my thermo switches are new. My brother owns a bone stock Talon TSI and I took his car out and it reached rougghly the same temps.