engine runnin hotter than usual
11-10-2009, 01:44 PM
#1
engine runnin hotter than usual
Noticed that my engine is running hotter than usual. I could tell from the look on my aftermarket headers. They look to be solid blue in color. I've heard before that if the headers turn blue like that means your engine is running hot. My temp gauge is reading normal and just did a coolant flush about a few thousand miles ago. I'm thinking it might be my spark plugs or maybe the motor oil or something. Anybody had this issue before? PLease any advise or help would be appreciated.
11-10-2009, 02:16 PM
#3
Did you make any recent modifications after which this started to occur?
Why do you think it's the oil? Did you change your oil to a brand and type you have not used before?
Did you change your spark plugs recently? What makes you think it's the spark plugs?
Why do you think it's the oil? Did you change your oil to a brand and type you have not used before?
Did you change your spark plugs recently? What makes you think it's the spark plugs?
11-10-2009, 04:00 PM
#4
The only code I'm throwing out is for the air temp sensor and it just started showing up a few months ago. But it was unplugged for the past 8 years and now it's just starting to showing up.
Anyway I've recently installed my headers, and MEVI not too long ago but I don't know if they can cause my engine to run hot because everything was installed right.
The reason I said if it might be my oil or spark plugs is because I haven't changed plugs for maybe about 6 months now and I'm just running the regular v-power ngks. Should I go with iridiums or something stronger in spark because my car doesn't seem to have alot of power like it use to when I first bought it anymore. Might also be from my clutch slowly going out cause it doesn't chirp second gear anymore either. I've heard that spark plugs have different heat ranges too. Do they help as to keeping the engine running cooler or hotter or no.
For the oil it's still gets it's changes every 3,000 miles with mobile-1 syntethic 10w30. It's already time for the next change also. I think I'm gonna change the oil to rotella-T 5w40 on the next change and see if it runs any better.
Anyway I've recently installed my headers, and MEVI not too long ago but I don't know if they can cause my engine to run hot because everything was installed right.
The reason I said if it might be my oil or spark plugs is because I haven't changed plugs for maybe about 6 months now and I'm just running the regular v-power ngks. Should I go with iridiums or something stronger in spark because my car doesn't seem to have alot of power like it use to when I first bought it anymore. Might also be from my clutch slowly going out cause it doesn't chirp second gear anymore either. I've heard that spark plugs have different heat ranges too. Do they help as to keeping the engine running cooler or hotter or no.
For the oil it's still gets it's changes every 3,000 miles with mobile-1 syntethic 10w30. It's already time for the next change also. I think I'm gonna change the oil to rotella-T 5w40 on the next change and see if it runs any better.
11-10-2009, 08:40 PM
#5
I would recommend that you don't try to solve the problem by changing your oil type ( oil would be a problem if you have too little oil, from a leak or something, or if it's past its use interval, like WAY the hell out there) or spark plugs.
Most likely it's whatever you changed/modded recently that is causing the overheating problem- ASSUMING that you actually HAVE a problem; the diagnostic functions in the car are not really telling you there is a problem, are they?
Is the temperature spiking on you when driving city or highway?
I've driven on spark plugs for well over a 100k and they were perfectly functional when I replaced them with new ones at 100k+, prolly wouldn't have won any races on them, but I only do the rat race - spark plugs aren't an issue.
I thought that rotella 5w-40 is for diesel engines. I don't know what a mevi is or whether it requires a thicker oil..., but I have doubts that it does. Everyone has their opinion, maybe go German Castrol Syntec 0w-30 since winter is coming and that stuff is just superlative, but I'd stick with the 30 weight.
Check your radiator. Check your coolant level. Check your thermostat. See if your fans are working. Remove debris from in between the condenser and radiator if there is any. Hose the radiator down to clean off any debris from the air channels. These are all things you can do to help keep your car cool under load (basically maintain your cooling system).
Headers being blue from heat; perhaps it's unusual because they are new and the old ones didn't look like that before, not because there is something amiss.
Most likely it's whatever you changed/modded recently that is causing the overheating problem- ASSUMING that you actually HAVE a problem; the diagnostic functions in the car are not really telling you there is a problem, are they?
Is the temperature spiking on you when driving city or highway?
I've driven on spark plugs for well over a 100k and they were perfectly functional when I replaced them with new ones at 100k+, prolly wouldn't have won any races on them, but I only do the rat race - spark plugs aren't an issue.
I thought that rotella 5w-40 is for diesel engines. I don't know what a mevi is or whether it requires a thicker oil..., but I have doubts that it does. Everyone has their opinion, maybe go German Castrol Syntec 0w-30 since winter is coming and that stuff is just superlative, but I'd stick with the 30 weight.
Check your radiator. Check your coolant level. Check your thermostat. See if your fans are working. Remove debris from in between the condenser and radiator if there is any. Hose the radiator down to clean off any debris from the air channels. These are all things you can do to help keep your car cool under load (basically maintain your cooling system).
Headers being blue from heat; perhaps it's unusual because they are new and the old ones didn't look like that before, not because there is something amiss.
Last edited by atriuum; 11-10-2009 at 08:53 PM.
05-31-2011, 07:05 PM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gwinnett, Georgia
Posts: 54
My gauge is dead in the center, it's been running like that since I changed my radiator, and thermostat. I believe it's my thermostat, since it is durolast instead of OEM. I tried a coolant flush and no good. So I'm going to order and OEM Thermostat and hope it does the trick 
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