water temp bouncing around... water pump?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Austin Texas
water temp bouncing around... water pump?
Lately my temperature has been running a bit hotter than I would normally expect. Not hot but a few degrees hotter than normal. (5 - 10)
Yesterday I thought I could smell antifreeze but didn't see anything dripping in the garage. this morning I noticed that my temp readout was bouncing around 199 then 207 then 205 then 200 all within one light cycle. like I said the temp is not high but the jumping around worries me.
My only thought is that the water pump could be going out..
The fluid level is good, no apparent leaking.
Thanks,
Yesterday I thought I could smell antifreeze but didn't see anything dripping in the garage. this morning I noticed that my temp readout was bouncing around 199 then 207 then 205 then 200 all within one light cycle. like I said the temp is not high but the jumping around worries me.
My only thought is that the water pump could be going out..
The fluid level is good, no apparent leaking.
Thanks,
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 77
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From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Has the weather been hotter lately? These cars tend to run hotter as the ambient temp goes up.
How many miles are on your C5? A friends dad who worked at the Doraville, GA GM plant says the water pumps start to go at around 80K but I haven't heard any substanciating claims to that.
I recently had an antifreeze issue where I could sometimes smell it but couldn't find the leak until I looked under my coolant reservoir. Keep an eye on your fluid level, it may be just a slow leak.
How many miles are on your C5? A friends dad who worked at the Doraville, GA GM plant says the water pumps start to go at around 80K but I haven't heard any substanciating claims to that.
I recently had an antifreeze issue where I could sometimes smell it but couldn't find the leak until I looked under my coolant reservoir. Keep an eye on your fluid level, it may be just a slow leak.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
It can also leak if the cap won't hold the pressure. It could even escape as steam. This would be a case where you'd smell but not see.
Bouncing around might just be due to fans kicking on/off.
Slowly creeping up can mean low coolant.
97-99 had low coolant sensor, but I think it was removed from later models.
I'd check for debris in the radiator too.
Bouncing around might just be due to fans kicking on/off.
Slowly creeping up can mean low coolant.
97-99 had low coolant sensor, but I think it was removed from later models.
I'd check for debris in the radiator too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
It can also leak if the cap won't hold the pressure. It could even escape as steam. This would be a case where you'd smell but not see.
Bouncing around might just be due to fans kicking on/off.
Slowly creeping up can mean low coolant.
97-99 had low coolant sensor, but I think it was removed from later models.
I'd check for debris in the radiator too.
Bouncing around might just be due to fans kicking on/off.
Slowly creeping up can mean low coolant.
97-99 had low coolant sensor, but I think it was removed from later models.
I'd check for debris in the radiator too.
Keep in mind that the failure mode of a water pump is the front seal leaks. As far as reduced flow, that is not one of the failure modes. Thermostat could also be an issue.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Austin Texas
It can also leak if the cap won't hold the pressure. It could even escape as steam. This would be a case where you'd smell but not see.
Possible
Bouncing around might just be due to fans kicking on/off.
Slowly creeping up can mean low coolant.
I have set the fans to come lowest I can with the preditor
97-99 had low coolant sensor, but I think it was removed from later models.
I'd check for debris in the radiator too.
Possible
Bouncing around might just be due to fans kicking on/off.
Slowly creeping up can mean low coolant.
I have set the fans to come lowest I can with the preditor
97-99 had low coolant sensor, but I think it was removed from later models.
I'd check for debris in the radiator too.
Last edited by sgostisha; Sep 10, 2010 at 05:43 PM. Reason: change response
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
If you can smell antifreeze, then you have a leak. Plain and simple. You'll need to find it. There's been lots of reports of the nippple from the surge tank cracking and no, it usually cannot be fixed. Replace it if you find coolant running down the edge. The water pump will not last forever so put your finger down there under the pulley and feel for coolant...engine off of course.
