False Temp Reading
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
False Temp Reading
Can anyone help. This problem is driving me 
Problem: Temperature rizing to 240+ quickly, few minutes and fluctuates up and down often. Must be false.
I changed:
I checked:
Whats left? Could this be the gauge itself, air in system? Any tips on removing the air out of the system.
This is crazy.
Problem: Temperature rizing to 240+ quickly, few minutes and fluctuates up and down often. Must be false.
I changed:
- Thermostat
- Bottom hoze and re-routed
- Temp sending unit
- Radiator Fluid - Orange fluid
I checked:
- Temp of engine by touch and with a hand held heat gauge
- Fans
- Debre, bags, leaves, ...
- Looks as if the engine is using the water because the radiator reservoyr has movement
- Heater works fine
- ATI Supercharger
- Large radiator
- High output Spal Fans
- Big Mouth Air Damm
Whats left? Could this be the gauge itself, air in system? Any tips on removing the air out of the system.
This is crazy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Are your fans pulling air. If it's wired backwards the fans may be pushing rather than pulling. I know I've read the ATI setup was prone to overheating and the fans were ineffective. That's why many have gone with ECS or A&A setups.
When I refilled my radiator, before starting I kept adding fluid and massaging the upper and lower RAD hoses until I no longer heard the air bubbles in the line. It worked for me. Try this with the front end lifted. Sometimes the air gets trapped in the engine.
But I'm leaning towards the fans blowing the wrong way.
When I refilled my radiator, before starting I kept adding fluid and massaging the upper and lower RAD hoses until I no longer heard the air bubbles in the line. It worked for me. Try this with the front end lifted. Sometimes the air gets trapped in the engine.
But I'm leaning towards the fans blowing the wrong way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 2
From: Tx
Originally Posted by brandon1566
radiator clogged? water pump good? blown head gasket?
Run the car up to max temp and open the overflow slowly to get air out. Do it a few times.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
I'll reply in order:
IM QUIKR:
Fans are pulling (verified) and I am using the A&A setup. I will try to remove air as you suggested.
Brandon:
No sign of bad water pump, clogged radiator, or blown head gasket. The car is 2002 with 21,000 miles. Not long ago I went to the car wash and flushed water through the radiator with the high presure hose and it appears to be clear of debree.
Quick Silver:
I used a hand held infra-red temp unit to get measurements along with putting my hand on the engine. Thats why I think my gauge is a false reading. I will also try to get any air out by the method you mentioned. I'm not sure what you meant by "Cluster Freak Out". Whats the cluster?
IM QUIKR:
Fans are pulling (verified) and I am using the A&A setup. I will try to remove air as you suggested.
Brandon:
No sign of bad water pump, clogged radiator, or blown head gasket. The car is 2002 with 21,000 miles. Not long ago I went to the car wash and flushed water through the radiator with the high presure hose and it appears to be clear of debree.
Quick Silver:
I used a hand held infra-red temp unit to get measurements along with putting my hand on the engine. Thats why I think my gauge is a false reading. I will also try to get any air out by the method you mentioned. I'm not sure what you meant by "Cluster Freak Out". Whats the cluster?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 2
From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Originally Posted by AZBrewer
Problem: Temperature rizing to 240+ quickly, few minutes and fluctuates up and down often. Must be false.
If it fluctuates a lot then it's probably the wiring leading up to the sensor. The sensor is simply a resistor whose resistance changes based on temperature. The PCM sends 5v to the sensor and measures how much voltage gets returned.
I had a wiring problem a long time ago that resulted in the same situation, erratic coolant temp readings. It even made the car run like crap because the PCM alters timing based on coolant temp.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
More information:
I removed some of the air out of the system as suggested earlier and the car is running at a steady 208-210. When I shut the car off, moved stuff around so I could get it in the garage, then restarted it was at 234.
I'm guessing this is normal, though it was only in the 80's today and it still seems a little hot. Maybe I did not get all the air out.
I get a couple of drips of anti-freeze, can't tell where it is coming from.
At least the panic is over - still a little concerned.
I removed some of the air out of the system as suggested earlier and the car is running at a steady 208-210. When I shut the car off, moved stuff around so I could get it in the garage, then restarted it was at 234.
I'm guessing this is normal, though it was only in the 80's today and it still seems a little hot. Maybe I did not get all the air out.
I get a couple of drips of anti-freeze, can't tell where it is coming from.
At least the panic is over - still a little concerned.
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