Temperature Gauge Fluctuation...

[IluvSubie]

So at first for the past months i noticed that my temp gauge goes up like 3/4 of an inch or half an inch esp. if im on 5th gear and low RPM. I just rev up on nuetral and it goes back to the normal temp guage level or i shift down so my rpm is high. Now last night i noticed while im on the freeway even 60-70mph i still get the same increase in temp gauge. but later on it goes back to the normal. The temp gauge never had increase over half from the half point level to the overheat redline level. I was thinking i need a new thermostat. I remember that i installed a cheap kind of thermostat when i changed HGs almost a year ago. Can you guys help me if im right? Input would really help me alot. BTW coolant is on the same level. and oh i noticed when i checked this morning that my engine oil was below half from the empty level to the mid level. Thanks!

[Wiscon_Mark]

Does it move to these positions rapidly? I'm experiencing a similar problem, and I know it's not overheating.

That being said, a thermostat (or even a water pump that's not working properly) could cause something like you're describing.

[Huffer]

I remember that i installed a cheap kind of thermostat when i changed HGs almost a year ago.

There's your problem. OEM or go home!

[IluvSubie]

Mark, it doesn't move to those positions rapidly. It's slow rising. Well the water pump is OEM and i replaced them together when i was doing the HGs.

Roger, thank you for the post! I don't wanna think it's the HGs again. No signs of that at the moment like bubbling in the coolant reservoir or some gas burning smell and coolant spitting out....

[IluvSubie]

So yesterday i changed the thermostat of my car to an OEM one. I drove to work this morning which is 70 plus miles... And so far the temperature gauge level had been steady normal...

[Huffer]

Good work.

So the old thermostat you used was probably half the size and had a 2-3 coil spring in it. The OEM one has 6-7 coils and is more accurate in terms of regulating the engine's temp. :)

[IluvSubie]

Thanks!

Yes the old thermostat is like half the size and the spring coil in it aswell. I was going to get an OEM right after i was putting back all the parts from doing my HGs but i was excited for it to run already and didn't want to wait for the OEM thermostat because i have to order and wait. LOL!