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underheating problem? how long does it take to reach operating temp?

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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 12:07 AM
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underheating problem? how long does it take to reach operating temp?

i have an auto-meter gauge, as well as an aftermarket radiator. i'm affraid the radiator is overkill as my car seems to stay around 160*, it never really gets hotter than that, maybe 163* SOMETIMES... but never above that, most times it never gets hotter than 145* i'm scared that my car is underheating.. the seller of the car told me that the gauge needed an adapter and that that's why its 20* off..

what do you guys think? and is anyone else running auto-meter gauges having this issue?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 12:26 AM
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thermostat.
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 12:46 AM
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Where are you taking your readings from?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 12:46 AM
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How much damage do you think I've caused driving around like this everyday?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:16 AM
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Probably should get the reading from the stock location underneath the Oil sending unit.

Hopefully when the rad was replaced the guy knew how to bleed it. Air in the system could cause false temp readings if the sensor is not at the block. Who knows it might even be OVERHEATING!!!!

Get it fixed ASAP!

Last edited by RexRyder; Feb 19, 2012 at 01:20 AM. Reason: Needed to emphasize ASAP!
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:24 AM
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I have an autometer gauge..

Isn't there always a little air in the system though? Like if you unscrew the radiator cap there's a little air between the coolant and that opening of the radiator filler opening, get me?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Howru
Where are you taking your readings from?
You've still not answered this question.^

What kind of thermostat is in your car?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:34 AM
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Originally Posted by beachFC
I have an autometer gauge..

Isn't there always a little air in the system though? Like if you unscrew the radiator cap there's a little air between the coolant and that opening of the radiator filler opening, get me?
Yes you have autometer!!!!

Yes there is air where you are explaining.
Read here: http://www.radiators.com/radiator_how_to_maintain.html

Also make sure your temp sensor is at the correct location or you may not receive an accurate temp reading, who knows you might be overheating!!!
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 02:06 AM
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Goodness, you guys are making me feel like an idiot hahaha.. I'm not sure what kind of thermostat is in the car, or where the readings are coming from.. but tomorrow I will check manually with a temp reader thing. So point it under the oil sender you say?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 02:13 AM
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Originally Posted by beachFC
Goodness, you guys are making me feel like an idiot hahaha.. I'm not sure what kind of thermostat is in the car, or where the readings are coming from.. but tomorrow I will check manually with a temp reader thing. So point it under the oil sender you say?
I don't think that will work unless your temp reader can somehow get coolant temp readings from inside the block. Just trace the wire from the back of the gauge to a brass looking thing in the engine bay.

Also if you're not sure what thermos you got, just get a new OEM MAZDA one. It's only like 10 or 15 bucks.
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 02:19 AM
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Originally Posted by RexRyder
I don't think that will work unless your temp reader can somehow get coolant temp readings from inside the block. Just trace the wire from the back of the gauge to a brass looking thing in the engine bay.

Also if you're not sure what thermos you got, just get a new OEM MAZDA one. It's only like 10 or 15 bucks.
Yeah I'm getting a new tstat ASAP

And where would be the ideal place to wire my gauge to? Or is that what you meant by the "under the oil sender" thing?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by beachFC
Yeah I'm getting a new tstat ASAP

And where would be the ideal place to wire my gauge to? Or is that what you meant by the "under the oil sender" thing?
The ideal place would be stock location underneath the Oil sending unit.
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 02:25 AM
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Alright.. thank you, I know I'm a ****** retard.. I'm glad this is rx7 club and not zilvia or someshit, cuz I woulda for sure got eaten up on a different forum. I guess this just goes to show the difference between civic, integra, 240sx enthusiasts vs rx7 owners hahaha.. thanks
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by beachFC
i'm affraid the radiator is overkill as my car seems to stay around 160*, it never really gets hotter than that, maybe 163* SOMETIMES... but never above that, most times it never gets hotter than 145*
How does the heater work?
If you're getting good heat output, the gauge may well be misreading.

Also, does this "underheating" issue occur at all speeds?
If you can drive in slow, stop-n-go traffic and the temp doesn't break 160°, your gauge is lying to you.
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by beachFC
Alright.. thank you, I know I'm a ****** retard.. I'm glad this is rx7 club and not zilvia or someshit, cuz I woulda for sure got eaten up on a different forum. I guess this just goes to show the difference between civic, integra, 240sx enthusiasts vs rx7 owners hahaha.. thanks
No, this is known as the Evil Board by other RX-7 forums. You just showed up on a slow day.

Some one at least should have bitched that you haven't read the FAQ or searched the stickies.

No one has called you a nimrod or a phuktard yet? We gotta be slipping.


Maybe all the mean boys are out rotating the tennis ***** on their walkers...there were rumors at one time of an old farts club.

Just for grins-here is a link for you-

http://www.fc3spro.com/TECH/PROBLEMS...OT/coolant.htm

http://www.fc3spro.com/TECH/PROBLEMS/problems2.html

Good Luck

-Jack
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
How does the heater work?
If you're getting good heat output, the gauge may well be misreading.

Also, does this "underheating" issue occur at all speeds?
If you can drive in slow, stop-n-go traffic and the temp doesn't break 160°, your gauge is lying to you.
Yeah even the in rush hour traffic I sit in everyday, it will not break 160°
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:52 PM
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so the readings are, in fact coming from the correct location.. i'm going to change the tstat, but now i'm wondering if the gauge is faulty. i sit in traffic for about 45 minutes everyday, and still don't reach operating temp. son of a bitch -___-
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Old May 20, 2012 | 03:35 PM
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anyone?

i changed to tstat a long time ago.. and it now rests at 160* almost all the time, and170* if i sit in traffic on a hot day.. i'm guessing maybe the temp sending unit is off?
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Old May 20, 2012 | 04:30 PM
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That would be a reasonable assumption (like I said three months ago).

If your gauge is correct and temp never breaches 170°, the upper rad hose should always be cold/warm, not hot.
You could easily check this and see.
Hot upper hose=open thermostat=temp greater than 160°=lying *** gauge.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
That would be a reasonable assumption (like I said three months ago).

If your gauge is correct and temp never breaches 170°, the upper rad hose should always be cold/warm, not hot.
You could easily check this and see.
Hot upper hose=open thermostat=temp greater than 160°=lying *** gauge.
hah didn't even think of that.. thanks
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Old May 20, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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So the thermostat is DEFINITELY opening.. upper rad hose was pretty hot. I'm hoping it isn't getting too hot.

What's the hottest safe temperature? Like what is the hottest it can get before I need to worry? For some reason I'm thinking 210-220?
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Old May 20, 2012 | 09:47 PM
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i've concluded that the t.stat opens at 140* on the gauge.. so that pretty much means that 140*=180* and 180*=200*?

****.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 09:58 PM
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i just thought of something else interesting.. the original t.stat that i had in the car(not oem) would rest at 140* most of the time which i now concluded must have been 180*..

and upon replacing it with an oem t.stat from mazdatrix.. it now rests at 160* most of the time which must actually be 200*.. what the hell is going on?!

that means the non-oem one was working better?!
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Old May 20, 2012 | 10:01 PM
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just get rid of the crap autometer gauge and get a prosport with the adapter that is spliced into the top rad hose.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by REAmemiya_fan
just get rid of the crap autometer gauge and get a prosport with the adapter that is spliced into the top rad hose.
i've been wanting to get one that will fit into the upper rad hose.. but i am a little concerned that its not going to give a consistant reading since it will not be able to sense the temp. with the thermostat closed. or am i trippin?
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