Close Call with over heating!!!
Passenger
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Close Call with over heating!!!
Ok,
After driving my car for about 45 minutes today I Parked my car infront of the auto parts store to pick up some vinyle paint to touch up my interior and I turned my car off then turned the key back to the on position (the fan does NOT come on until about 2 minutes after I stop the car). I go into the parts store for 5 to 7 minutes and I return to my car, I look at the gauge and WHOOOOOOOOOOOO somehow I did not turn the car off, or I turned off but turned it on too quickly and the car never actually turned off. Anyway after only 5 to 7 minutes of idiling in the 70 degree sun the stock water temp gauge was slightly over 3/4 of the way up. Like i have never seen the car more than 1/2 way. So I turned the car off, open the hood, no leaks or coolant smell, its all fine. I walked to a restaurant had lunch, I left my hood open and my fan running and had lunch. 20 minutes later when i return and start my car, the temp was half way and was fine. Ok, now my question is...Is this typical? I would never intentionaly leave it idle for extended period of time, but damn that was too fast to get that hot.
Next question...My downpipe arrives today and I plan to install it tomorrow, in this situation would the down pipe have helped at all?
After driving my car for about 45 minutes today I Parked my car infront of the auto parts store to pick up some vinyle paint to touch up my interior and I turned my car off then turned the key back to the on position (the fan does NOT come on until about 2 minutes after I stop the car). I go into the parts store for 5 to 7 minutes and I return to my car, I look at the gauge and WHOOOOOOOOOOOO somehow I did not turn the car off, or I turned off but turned it on too quickly and the car never actually turned off. Anyway after only 5 to 7 minutes of idiling in the 70 degree sun the stock water temp gauge was slightly over 3/4 of the way up. Like i have never seen the car more than 1/2 way. So I turned the car off, open the hood, no leaks or coolant smell, its all fine. I walked to a restaurant had lunch, I left my hood open and my fan running and had lunch. 20 minutes later when i return and start my car, the temp was half way and was fine. Ok, now my question is...Is this typical? I would never intentionaly leave it idle for extended period of time, but damn that was too fast to get that hot.
Next question...My downpipe arrives today and I plan to install it tomorrow, in this situation would the down pipe have helped at all?
I'm not sure what the problem is, but no that's not typical.
Actually, I was idling for about 20 minutes the other day (waiting for my brother to meet me somewhere) without any problems.
Sounds like you still have some gremlins in your cooling system.
Actually, I was idling for about 20 minutes the other day (waiting for my brother to meet me somewhere) without any problems.
Sounds like you still have some gremlins in your cooling system.
reliable performance
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: MA, USA
Look on the bright side. It's doesn't appear you did any real damage, and if there is a problem it's not too late to correct it. I wouldn't panic about what happened. If you're installing the downpipe anyway, then that's good. After installation I'd drive the car around and then let it idle for say 5 mins while sitting in the car and watching what happens. Do the fans come on? Does the temperature gauge go past the halfway mark? Are there any other cooling system problems apparent.
If everything checks out, then I'd rest easy but keep an eye out for any problems. But that's my opinion. I'm sure there are others who will tell you something different.
If everything checks out, then I'd rest easy but keep an eye out for any problems. But that's my opinion. I'm sure there are others who will tell you something different.
Passenger
Posts: n/a
Well my cooling system is good, its been around a 9 days that I replaced my upper rad hose and I have driven about 500 miles and its been fine. Even when I was spewing coolant early last week my temp never got hot. I hope the down pipe fixes this. My fans definatly work. It takes about 2 minutes after I stop my car for my fans to come on. Infact, even if my fans are running, if I stop my car, my fan stops and comes back on in 2 minutes. Kinda weird. I always leave my key turned when I stop my car so I have No problem with the car sitting hot for 2 minutes.
I do have a water temp gauge but I have not had time to find someone to tap the water housing (I have the electrical done and it mounted). The gauge would not have helped in this situation.
Thanks!
I do have a water temp gauge but I have not had time to find someone to tap the water housing (I have the electrical done and it mounted). The gauge would not have helped in this situation.
Thanks!
I highly recommend a water temperature gauge. It saved my motor today due to my own clumsiness at not tightening the radiator filler cap.
I didn't tighten the filler cap after the usual pre-flight walk around check; as I was motoring down the highway, I noticed the temp going up from 185 to 210 pretty rapidly so I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. Found the cap blown off but still inside the engine compartment. Poured coolant in immediately and waited about 15 minutes for it to cool down. Engine is fine as it never got above 210 degrees when I pulled over. I hammered the motor during lunch and it's fine.
Conclusion- get a temperature gauge, it could save your motor
I didn't tighten the filler cap after the usual pre-flight walk around check; as I was motoring down the highway, I noticed the temp going up from 185 to 210 pretty rapidly so I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. Found the cap blown off but still inside the engine compartment. Poured coolant in immediately and waited about 15 minutes for it to cool down. Engine is fine as it never got above 210 degrees when I pulled over. I hammered the motor during lunch and it's fine.
Conclusion- get a temperature gauge, it could save your motor
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Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 6
From: Delaware
Fan that come on after shut off suggest temps at 230F.
High gage at idle is a cooling problem. If precat problem, you'd have little power on road.
Fans on at 221F can handle idle heat load.
High gage at idle is a cooling problem. If precat problem, you'd have little power on road.
Fans on at 221F can handle idle heat load.
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