Has anyone had a problem where their engine temp has become unusually hot? My gauge used to rise about mid way for all trips, (far and short) and now it seems like, even driving 40 or less around the city my gauge will get right below the "danger zone." Why would it just all of a sudden start doin this? I have anti-freeze at proper levels..also, I can run the heater and it will go down, but as soon as i put a/c back on it'll go back up. Please help.

 

What: Thermostat jammed.

Why: All things made by humans will eventually break down...

When: Tick, tick, tick... NOW!

How:

Jammed thermostat (yel) will not allow circ (8.) to radiator. Not enough cooling...




As u open the heater (16.), the smaller cabin "radiator" (17.) does the job. On colder weather, low rpm its enough. Hot day, racing, and u engine will start boiling over...



Whattodo? Replace themostat. 5$ and 'some' work.

 

If you are heating up when you run your a/c,the radiator fans may not be working.
[they are suppose to come on when you run the a/c.]

Check by turning on your a/c and see if they are working.

 

Yup what he said.
replace thermostat first..
when you're draining the radiator (you can reuse the old fluid if it's still good), look down inside the radiator and see if the fins are clogged with anything on the ends..
I've seen a lot of radiators that get clogged with scale and crap like that and stop cooling..

if neither of those fix it, then start looking at the water pump for problems.. even if it's not leaking, it's possible that the fins inside have corroded off due to old age and the pump just isn't pumping anymore. probably not the case though.

check thermostat and radiator first.

 

Yep what they said above, also sounds like a good time to install a manual control for the fans as well. Can never hurt!

 

yup...... what he said above...

 

This problelm just happened to me on a trip from Philly to DC, my car just hit 204,000!

 

I'm having the same problem. I had the timing belt changed in January and it seems to have started shortly after. The radiater fans are not working and when I brought it back to the mechanic, he said they were working but I guess they're not. I didn't know you can just turn on the A/C to test them. Well, I don't want to deal with him anymore because he might break something else.

I figure I change the thermostat first. As for the fans, I couldn't figure out how to remove the fuses. I'm an idiot and afraid to apply too much force and break something. A li'l advice here please with photos if possible... I know where they are; just couldn't pull them out. I tried pressing the tabs and all.

If the fuses aren't bad, I figure it's the coolant temp sensor or fan motor switch since they both failed at the same time.

any good advice appreciated

 

Did you replace the water pump at the same time? If not, the water pump could go bad because it's not used to the new, tighter belt (tension).

As for others, check the thermostat before buying a new one. Get a pot of boiling water going and stick the thermostat in it. If you see it close when the water is boiling, then open up again when you take it out the pot then it's working like it should.