Running HOT

F

frankjc

Registered
Hi. Today, I drove my 95 Mark VIII about 10 minutes, and noticed the temp needle was higher than normal. It's usually right in the middle. I stopped the car, went in the store for about an hour. Drove it again, it did it again, only this time it went all the way HOT. The check engine temp message came on. I turned on the heat all the way up, and the needle went down BELOW normal. I got home, popped the hood, noticed coolant around the coolant fill cap. Checked the level, seemed pretty good. I let the car idle for a while, and the needle stayed pretty much where it normally is. I did notice the radiator fan turning on and off. Any ideas what's going on here? Thermostat? I have had the car 5 years and never changed the thermostat.
 
Change the thermostat of course,if it's that old. But change that cap. It will lead you down a road of going nuts trying to find a problem that just isn't there. I'm willing to bet if you change the cap your problems will vanish.
 
Well, I was wrong about the coolant level. Just saw some in there thought it was ok. The low coolant warning came on. I drove it around for a while again, never got hot again. Bought a thermostat. Put it in when the car cools down.
 
Probably just low, lol. If its just a bit low, adding it to the overflow bottle won't hurt anything. If you drain the system low enough, you won't be able to fill it from the bottle. Two cheap repairs, new overflow cap (which is pressure sensative and will prevent you from losing coolant when you're not supposed to) and the thermostat, although thats kinda a pita to change. Bring your umbrella.
 
it hasnt done it again since i topped it off. i have a t-stat, just have to put it in. what's so bad about changing the t-stat? just the position it's in?
 
Ya its in a crappy spot and there is no way to get the coolant out from above the thermostat without getting rained on. Plus all the hoses that attach to it are usually pretty hard and tight. Its just not like the old chevy's right on the top of the engine. :D
 
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