Temp Gauge High---Water Pump???
#1
Temp Gauge High---Water Pump???
Hey Buds,
Yesterday, i noticed the 03, 3.5 (has 114k) was running "a little" hot (the temp needle was past half-way point). When i got home, i checked under the hood and noticed 3 things.
NOTE: I pulled thermostat last yr (i live in Fla, always hot here, and never had a problem). I also, replaced the Radiator about 1.5 yr ago. I ALSO checked the Temp of Hoses with a temp gun; Top Hose is about 115f, and bottom is about 110f.
QUESTION:
Anyway, thanks for any constructive input you can offer.
~M
Yesterday, i noticed the 03, 3.5 (has 114k) was running "a little" hot (the temp needle was past half-way point). When i got home, i checked under the hood and noticed 3 things.
- The water level in the Reservoir Tank was really high. I let the car cool down AND STILL the Reservoir tank was way OVER the normal limit.
- After it cooled down, and with the Rad.Cap off, i noticed the water was not circulating and even appeared to be overflowing. When i gave it some gas, the Rad pushed up some water (not gusher), just pushed it up so it over-flowed a little
- The passenger fan was spinning weak and even stopped. I coaxed the fan with my finger and it moved slowly but then stopped. (Obviously, i need a fan). However, i'm concerned about the water not circulating.
- "This morning" i checked the Reservoir Tank and noticed the water was back to Normal Level.
NOTE: I pulled thermostat last yr (i live in Fla, always hot here, and never had a problem). I also, replaced the Radiator about 1.5 yr ago. I ALSO checked the Temp of Hoses with a temp gun; Top Hose is about 115f, and bottom is about 110f.
QUESTION:
- Could this be a Water pump issue?
- If not, what else would cause the water to Not Circulate?
Anyway, thanks for any constructive input you can offer.
~M
Last edited by FlaMark; 02-17-2017 at 05:41 AM.
#2
I dont think the water will circulate until the thermostat opens or the fans come on. Now I may be wrong. But believe me if the water pump was bad, you would be running all the way hott after just a few minutes of driving.
#3
Thanks for the reminder about the waterpump.
NOW, i'm wondering if i should even SEE water circulating when i peer into the radiator neck from above?
~M
Last edited by FlaMark; 02-16-2017 at 05:32 AM.
#4
Another cheap thing to replace is the rad cap. Often overlooked, it can cause overheating problems. I swapped mine out when I did the rad.
Last edited by mclasser; 02-16-2017 at 10:01 AM.
#5
However, without a thermostat, you should see the coolant flowing through the top of the radiator any time the engine is running. It might be easier to see if the coolant level was not all the way up.
You may very well need a new water pump. The vanes on the pump that circulate the coolant have been known to corrode away to nothing, leaving the engine at the mercy of convection currents for cooling.
See if you can figure out which is the bad water pump.
There is no way to test for this. You have to remove the water pump and look.
#6
This is obviously the issue. You're in FL, A/C runs almost year-round. With the air on, both fans should spin at either high or low, depending on the temps and system pressures. Don't keep driving the car hot. By the time the dummy temp gauge bumps the needle up, damage is being done.
Another cheap thing to replace is the rad cap. Often overlooked, it can cause overheating problems. I swapped mine out when I did the rad.
Another cheap thing to replace is the rad cap. Often overlooked, it can cause overheating problems. I swapped mine out when I did the rad.
You may very well need a new water pump. The vanes on the pump that circulate the coolant have been known to corrode away to nothing, leaving the engine at the mercy of convection currents for cooling.
See if you can figure out which is the bad water pump.
There is no way to test for this. You have to remove the water pump and look.
See if you can figure out which is the bad water pump.
There is no way to test for this. You have to remove the water pump and look.
Is there any Quick Way to take the cover off the Pump and LOOK at the "Fins" of the Water Pump??
Thanks Guys!
.m
#7
There is no quick way of checking the W/P. You need to remove the motor mount, pull both access covers, remove the tensioner, slack the chain so you can get it off the W/P, unbolt the W/P and then finally look at it. It is not something for the basic DIYer.
#9
Why did you pull the T-stat out anyway? Plenty of people live in warm climates and don't mess with it.
Last edited by mclasser; 02-17-2017 at 11:03 AM.
#12
glad you found the problem, i too just recently replaced the pass fan it did not seem to spin as fast as the main fan. I put in a new fan and they now both come on at the same speed.