TheAngryPidgeon
11-30-2008, 03:28 PM
Hey, thanks in advance for any help/opinions/knowledge you have about this problem.
My '98 2.5GT Sedan is overheating, kind of. The engine temperature gauge stated by jumping to 95%-99% of the gauge (Assuming the Cold line is 0% and Hot is 100%). I noticed it on Friday, about 4 miles from the house I was staying at. I stopped for gas about halfway, so I had been driving for no more than 3 miles maximum when I noticed.
I pulled over, checked the engine, and didn't find anything. I began driving conservatively to my destination (a fellow 2.5 GT owner's house) and pulled over again as it jumped back up very quickly. Upon pulling a U-Turn, it dropped suddenly back down to the normal 45% or so.
It continued to jump up and down as I proceeded the remaining 15 minutes to his place. Upon arrival, I added about half a jug of coolant-mix, and it didn't do it at idle or revving the engine by hand. I did add the coolant with the engine off, and didn't check it again properly after starting it. I now know this is incorrect. :smt011
I drove back to where I came from and it was fine until I hit the driveway (an uphill dirt road), upon which it jumped back up again. Still no symptoms of serious overheating. (steam blowing out, noticeably exaggerated temp under the hood when I arrived, etc.)
I encountered the same problem as I drove another 70 or so miles that night/the next morning. Topped the radiator off with water, with the car running, revving it a bit to make sure it I circulated the water all the way through. It did take quite a bit of water.
I drove an hour by freeway with no problems. Drove it another hour or so and noticed it back up to 99%. Pulled over, still no major signs. There did seem to be a very small amount of steam coming from either the top left portion of the radiator, or the hose connecting there. I let it cool down a bit, got back to driving, and it would hit 99%, I would consider pulling over, and then it would drop down 3-7%, so I would keep going, and the situation repeated itself.
I'm thinking/hoping it's a problem with the thermostat, although the previous owner had it replaced previously. There doesn't seem to be a milky aspect to the oil, so I don't think it's the head gasket (knock on wood). Perhaps a cracked radiator and/or torn hose? What do you think?
Thanks again for your time, and sorry about the novel of a post here, lol.
Phil
My '98 2.5GT Sedan is overheating, kind of. The engine temperature gauge stated by jumping to 95%-99% of the gauge (Assuming the Cold line is 0% and Hot is 100%). I noticed it on Friday, about 4 miles from the house I was staying at. I stopped for gas about halfway, so I had been driving for no more than 3 miles maximum when I noticed.
I pulled over, checked the engine, and didn't find anything. I began driving conservatively to my destination (a fellow 2.5 GT owner's house) and pulled over again as it jumped back up very quickly. Upon pulling a U-Turn, it dropped suddenly back down to the normal 45% or so.
It continued to jump up and down as I proceeded the remaining 15 minutes to his place. Upon arrival, I added about half a jug of coolant-mix, and it didn't do it at idle or revving the engine by hand. I did add the coolant with the engine off, and didn't check it again properly after starting it. I now know this is incorrect. :smt011
I drove back to where I came from and it was fine until I hit the driveway (an uphill dirt road), upon which it jumped back up again. Still no symptoms of serious overheating. (steam blowing out, noticeably exaggerated temp under the hood when I arrived, etc.)
I encountered the same problem as I drove another 70 or so miles that night/the next morning. Topped the radiator off with water, with the car running, revving it a bit to make sure it I circulated the water all the way through. It did take quite a bit of water.
I drove an hour by freeway with no problems. Drove it another hour or so and noticed it back up to 99%. Pulled over, still no major signs. There did seem to be a very small amount of steam coming from either the top left portion of the radiator, or the hose connecting there. I let it cool down a bit, got back to driving, and it would hit 99%, I would consider pulling over, and then it would drop down 3-7%, so I would keep going, and the situation repeated itself.
I'm thinking/hoping it's a problem with the thermostat, although the previous owner had it replaced previously. There doesn't seem to be a milky aspect to the oil, so I don't think it's the head gasket (knock on wood). Perhaps a cracked radiator and/or torn hose? What do you think?
Thanks again for your time, and sorry about the novel of a post here, lol.
Phil