3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Rising temp and add coolant light at low speeds/idle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-10-11, 05:12 PM
  #1  
PHREN PHUN!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
phrenetiK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Rising temp and add coolant light at low speeds/idle

Pulled into a gas station with my friend. got out for a sec and realized there were no open places to pump gas. we drove across the street to next gas station. on the way there in the 2nd gas stations parking lot i leaked a tiny amount of coolant and I could see the line from where i turned in, up to the place where i parked. the add coolant light came on and the gauge was about 1/3rd up from cold.

i checked the lines, 1 seemed a little loose so i tightened it up, coolant reservoir seemed full because when i tried to add some it came leaking out the top and the bottle looked full. turned on the car and let it idle for a few mins while we kept looking for a leak. eventually the fan kicked on and about 25seconds later the add coolant light had gone off and the gauge was right above cold again like normal.

kept driving home and slowed down from 75 to 30 due to traffic and while going 30 the light came on and the gauge went to about 1/3rd higher than cold again. brought it up to like 50mph and the gauge went back down & light turned off.

last but not least right when i got home and parked it it raised back up and light turned on again.

radiator = Fluidyne performance radiator

thanks for any ideas. just got the car today and the previous owner said its never done it to him. he runs a mazda race car shop, and seemed pretty knowledgeable so i trust him on that.

1st thoughts are to replace all hosing and maybe even the coolant tank if for some reason it was leaking out the top. is that normal for a full tank?
Old 04-10-11, 05:19 PM
  #2  
White chicks > *

iTrader: (33)
 
1QWIK7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Secaucus, New Jersey
Posts: 13,147
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Seems like theres massive air in the system.

Did you burp the system and/or have a working pressure cap?
Old 04-10-11, 05:20 PM
  #3  
RX-7 Bad Ass

iTrader: (55)
 
DaleClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,399
Received 2,438 Likes on 1,509 Posts
Sounds like you just have a small leak somewhere, find it and fix it. Nothing too exciting fortunately.

Dale
Old 04-10-11, 05:21 PM
  #4  
PHREN PHUN!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
phrenetiK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Originally Posted by 1QWIK7
Seems like theres massive air in the system.

Did you burp the system and/or have a working pressure cap?
going to look up how to burp the system now. thanks. unsure if pressure cap is working or not, but i would assume it is?
Old 04-10-11, 05:31 PM
  #5  
Planning my come back

iTrader: (7)
 
MR_Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would change the cap too. It seem that it is not holding pressure. If you want to bled your system, I would highly recommend a coolant fill tool.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-75260/

Makes filling your cooling system a snap without having to bleed. You will need an air compressor.
Old 04-10-11, 05:35 PM
  #6  
White chicks > *

iTrader: (33)
 
1QWIK7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Secaucus, New Jersey
Posts: 13,147
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by phrenetiK
going to look up how to burp the system now. thanks. unsure if pressure cap is working or not, but i would assume it is?
I would get rid of the air in the system first.

If you are unsure about the pressure cap working or not, get a new one for extra insurance. They are like 6 bucks at the auto parts store.

Worst thing is second guessing yourself.
Old 04-10-11, 06:18 PM
  #7  
PHREN PHUN!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
phrenetiK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
anywhere special to look for all the radiator lines like in a set?

Last edited by phrenetiK; 04-10-11 at 06:21 PM.
Old 04-10-11, 06:51 PM
  #8  
Planning my come back

iTrader: (7)
 
MR_Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you mean new ones,

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/samco%20hose.htm
Old 04-11-11, 12:53 AM
  #9  
Boilermakers!

iTrader: (157)
 
ZE Power MX6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 3,691
Received 359 Likes on 263 Posts
With a completely stock cooling system, is the temperature gauge supposed to rise a little above half before the fan kicks in to cool it back down? Mine does that if I'm sitting at a light.
Old 04-12-11, 07:45 AM
  #10  
PHREN PHUN!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
phrenetiK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
picked up some samco hoses. the bottom S hose was pinched in the middle due to being too long i believe. hoping that is what was causing the problem.
Old 04-12-11, 09:27 AM
  #11  
*BOV sound*

iTrader: (16)
 
Radial GT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Northern Minnesota
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
These are the same symptoms mine was having last fall. The cause = cracked center cast iron. Anytime your overflow tank is full, that is a reason for concern. Wish the best for you.
Old 04-12-11, 10:01 AM
  #12  
Eh

iTrader: (56)
 
djseven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 6,544
Received 333 Likes on 189 Posts
Did you add coolant to the overflow reservoir or the filler neck?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Queppa
New Member RX-7 Technical
8
09-02-18 09:53 AM
immanuel__7
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
89
09-05-15 10:23 AM
gtcd
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
30
08-19-15 02:44 AM



Quick Reply: Rising temp and add coolant light at low speeds/idle



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:26 AM.