Engine Hot

[Need4Speed1299]

For some reason my engine is running hot. Like 3/4 way on the temp gauge in my instrument cluster.

At first I thought it was because the auxiliary fan wasnt working, so i fixed the plug for it. It still runs hot even with the fan on. Im going to try a coolant flush to get the air out, and then put new coolant in it. Anything else I should look for or be concerned about?

Thanks!

[jlevie]

You might have a bad thermostat. They are cheap and easy to replace.

[archemedes]

tstat is routine maintenance that should be done at least yearly

[SpecM]

tstat is routine maintenance that should be done at least yearly

that often? nah... every 2 years when I flush the coolant, maybe...

[euroshark]

Could be a bad sensor too, don't rule that out...

[archemedes]

that often? nah... every 2 years when I flush the coolant, maybe...

coolant manufacturers (green stuff) say every 6 months, as did most manufacturers. The extended life is 2 years tops as it does break down (the 100k thing was from marketing to make cost of ownership look lower, it has bit a few manufacturers with major issues like gaskets, and engines going bad)

[Need4Speed1299]

Could be a bad sensor too, don't rule that out...

I assume by sensor you mean, a coolant sensor? My idiot light isnt on.. but Ill check it or replace it anyway.

So these are the possibilities Ive came up with.
-Air in system
-Need new coolant
-Bad thermostat
-Bad coolant sensor
-Bad Head gasket (my gasket is fine though)
-Fan clutch

Ill check and try everything on that list and hope for the best.

Thanks!!

[ADEN]

if it's a real 3/4 then the car will run weird the maybe go off coz of overheating mine once reached a 3/4 then when i stopped the car the engine went off.
check for heat by squeezing the radiator pipe if the are alittle soft then you have a bad sensor and the car is fine, but if the hoses are strong and like they are going to explode then you have a heating problem.
hope this will work.

[Need4Speed1299]

Thanks Aden. I gave the hoses a squeeze and the coolant system pressure is good.

I bought a new thermostat from bavauto. I assume that my thermostat is bad because my lower radiator pipes are ice cold while the upper hoses are pipin' hot. So, the pipes coming from the thermostat are cold. I got all the air out of my system, which was only a couple bubbles.

Next thing is the idle. Maybe the thermostat will fix it. When I press the button with the snow flake, my idle fixes. I have a hose coming off the ICV that was a bit cracked, so I bought a new one from bavauto today also. I would make a new thread but this seems relevant.

Thanks for your time.

[SpecM]

I bought a new thermostat from bavauto. I assume that my thermostat is bad because my lower radiator pipes are ice cold while the upper hoses are pipin' hot. So, the pipes coming from the thermostat are cold. I got all the air out of my system, which was only a couple bubbles.

yea that sounds like a t-stat

what year/type is your car?

[Tsweers89]

its a '88 ix

[Need4Speed1299]

Still waiting on that thermostat and ICV tubing. I believe it should be coming this weekend at latest. I hope just those can fix my idle/heat problems. :D

As of now, I just drive with the heat on full blast and gear it good so it doesnt get hot. If it starts to get past the 1/2 mark, I shut it off. Is this a safe alternative for the time being?

[Aptyp]

tstat is routine maintenance that should be done at least yearly

damn, my 22 year old t-stat will be pissed when he finds out

[Need4Speed1299]

damn, my 22 year old t-stat will be pissed when he finds out

Haha. Damn thats old!

[Need4Speed1299]

Alright, so the thermostat didnt fix it. The lower radiator hose is still cold. I think my radiator is clogged up or something.