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Engine Temp spike and very quick drop

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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:05 PM
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Default Engine Temp spike and very quick drop

think thermastat but thought I should check with the brain set since I'm pretty new to C3's.

out driving last night, decided to really get on it in second taking it up to about 5000 rpm's. temperature spiked from about 160 to about 220 with in 60 seconds. then back again in another 120 seconds.

this is after it having sat for about 9 months waiting for me to get off my fat a$$ and put the rear end back in.

what thinks the brain trust?

thanks
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:08 PM
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220 is not over heating. Spiking makes me wonder about the sending unit. It is good?
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:11 PM
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Sounds like your fan is working!
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:13 PM
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with the rear end jacked up ,maybe you had a air trapped below the thermostat .
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by garygnu
with the rear end jacked up ,maybe you had a air trapped below the thermostat .
had the whole car up on jacks. but thanks
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
220 is not over heating. Spiking makes me wonder about the sending unit. It is good?


Well i did it twice. first time when i noticed it and again just to see if it would do it again and it did. I'll clean off the contact on the sending unit just in case.

thanks
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by pws69
Sounds like your fan is working!
that makes me want to ask what would happen if I kept doing it (running it hard). would it still cool it down? not sure I want to try that though.

thanks
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:36 PM
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I assume the cooling system is full. I'd check the thermostat and sender for sure.
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 07:33 PM
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Air in cooling system-same thing was happening to mine.
Put front of car on ramps and fill radiator that way so air comes out.
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 08:11 PM
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Could possibly be the lower rad hose collapsing at high rpm's .
Bill
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 03:00 AM
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My 69 was doing the same, not quite so severe. Changed the thermostadt and haven't noticed that symptom since. It was like when the engine was warming up the thermostadt stayed shut a little to long. T
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 63split63
Could possibly be the lower rad hose collapsing at high rpm's .
Bill

This would be my guess

USAF
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 63split63
Could possibly be the lower rad hose collapsing at high rpm's .
Bill
interesting....caused by just an old hose so replace? or other causes?

thanks
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 10:26 AM
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ok pretty inexpensive things.

1. replace thermostat
2. replace lower rad hose
3. fill cooling system with front off the ground

i can do those things.

about the lower radiator hose collapsing. seems the only way for that to happen is for a vacuum to be pulled at high rpm's as 63split63 said. the only way that happens is if the hose is really bad or the radiator itself is not flowing as it should. geez, i hope its the hose.
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 10:32 AM
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The lower radiator hose has a spring installed to prevent hose collapse...thay can corrode or be left out when the hose is changed...might want to check that...Good Luck!
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by 4SPDL81
The lower radiator hose has a spring installed to prevent hose collapse...thay can corrode or be left out when the hose is changed...might want to check that...Good Luck!
ahhh. ok thanks
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 12:15 PM
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Just try to squeeze the hose.
If it collapses in your fingers that's.

USAF
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To Engine Temp spike and very quick drop

Old Aug 6, 2014 | 01:10 PM
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Slight rise in temp is normal. If I go through the gears hard I will get about 1-2 needle widths rise. It will return to normal in a minute. Normal for me is is 180 with an aluminum radiator. You didn't say what radiator you have so a bit higher rise might be normal for you. If it did not do this in the past and is a new issue, check, squeeze, the bottom hose to see if the spring is there. Replace hose and spring if it is missing and if you remove or change the thermostat, you can drill a small hole (1/16"-3/32") in the flange to help air purge during the initial start up.
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Old Aug 7, 2014 | 12:44 AM
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Sticky thermostat and/or lower radiator hose is collapsing.
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Old Aug 7, 2014 | 11:13 AM
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Drill 3 1/8-3/16 holes in the skirt of the new stat, that allows a bit extra water on the flow, so engine runs more consistent on temps.....

new stats have smaller openings to restrict the water flow a bad, it's an EPA thing.....only choice is to drill some holes....

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