Abnormal Coolant Temp

[llll1l1ll]

When driving, the temp sits higher than normal. When I stop, it goes up to the middle (it never has reached that mark!) and even above!

Would this be a faulty thermostat, a poor fan clutch, or something else?

I have a small leak, but I doubt that would do it because it acts like this regardless of coolant level.

What do you guys think?

Best,

Pete

[dashboardmonkey]

fix the leak, you may have an air pocket in the cooling system caused by the leak.

when the coolant heats up it expands, when it cools down it contracts thus maybe sucking air in to the system via leaky spot

[llll1l1ll]

Well, I went ahead and fixed that leaky gasket; however, the temperature still runs hot.

The temp gauge will climb to the middle during normal driving, then creep a little over the middle mark when I'm sitting. For reference, it normally sits below the middle mark and close to the first mark.

I am thinking a thermostat or a busted fan clutch.

[llll1l1ll]

Perhaps a faulty coolant temp gauge?

[nando]

have you bled the cooling system?

fan clutch is easy to check, stick a newspaper in it at idle with the car warmed up. if it stops the clutch is dead.

[llll1l1ll]

I've bled it. I let the engine warm up and then unscrew the bleed screw until only coolant comes out. Pretty much as soon as I undo it coolant comes out.

I will check the fan clutch later.

[jlevie]

A bad fan clutch would explain the increase in temperature when idling, but not the higher temperature when driving at speeds of 35mph or greater. That sounds like a thermostat that isn't fully opening or a partially clogged radiator.

[nadodude111]

I am willing to bet its a thermostat. Mine did the exact same thing. It would sit directly in the middle all the time and then one day it started to creep a little over, when idling. I got the fan clutch changed but it didnt help. I replaced the thermostat and voila the temp needle is always BELOW the middle line at operating temp compared to before.

[llll1l1ll]

I'm thinking it's the thermostat sticking, too.

Time to order!

PS Tanks 4 teh halp.

[StereoInstaller1]

Any of you guys ever read the owners manual on this topic?

clickywith thanks to markseven

Mine has always been basically straight up, maybe a tiny bit down when it is below 45 degrees or so, maybe a bit up on a 90 degree day...I think your car is normal.

Maybe borrow one of those infrared thermometers and check your actual engine temps and correlate to the needle position?

[87-325ic]

check the t-stat, cheap to replace, also check the temp sender// sensor. Flush and Clean out the radiator. then rebleed and see what happens.

[llll1l1ll]

^I'm just going to replace the thermostat since the radiator is maybe 3 or 4 years old and the coolant is probably 2 months old.

If replacing the thermostat doesn't work, then it's time to check the coolant temp sensor.

Any of you guys ever read the owners manual on this topic?

clickywith thanks to markseven

Mine has always been basically straight up, maybe a tiny bit down when it is below 45 degrees or so, maybe a bit up on a 90 degree day...I think your car is normal.

Maybe borrow one of those infrared thermometers and check your actual engine temps and correlate to the needle position?

I actually run a lower temp thermostat since it gets Hellishly hot here in NC. So, the normal running temp for my car is slightly below "straight up" position.

[StereoInstaller1]

The thermostat does NOT control the operating temp of the motor.

The thermostat controls what temperature your radiator "joins" the cooling system.

If you want cooler operating temps (and the shittier performance/economy that comes with mis-tuning your car), change your AUX fan switch so it turns on at say 160 degrees. I think it is the E46 switch that does this.

Keep in mind your car may never switch over to "closed loop" mode if it is too cold. That means your O2 sensor isn't being used, meaning you will run rich as hell...that is why you will lose power, shitty mileage, fuel pissing past your rings into your oil, etc.

[llll1l1ll]

I don't think that's ever happened with me.

Maybe on first start in the mornings, but never all day.

Thing is, I need that lower thermostat otherwise my car runs hot in the middle of hot-ass NC weather, meaning I can't use the A/C, meaning I run hot. Which sucks. I hate pit stains.