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Engine Temperature
MORE: Engine over heats or runs hot
questionsCar Engine Temperature Questions
Question: 1999 Toyota Tacoma truck, miles: 121,000. The truck has a. standard
shift truck and I have a problem. A while back, I had to have my thermostat changed.
After the mechanic changed it my temperature gauge would not go up very high. It
bugged me. I thought the mechanic may have put a defective or wrong thermostat in,
when he installed it. I first went up to buy a new thermostat before I went to fix
or look at the problem. When I pulled the thermostat out of the truck, I compared
it to the one that I just purchased. The one the mechanic installed was a higher
degree temperature than the one I bought which was from my local Toyota dealership.
I was so happy, that I figured the problem out, so I changed it. It worked fine
for about a month and then, the needle on the gauge gradually stopped going up to
where it's supposed to go. I repeated this last scenario of buying the thermostat
and replacing it 3 more times and the same thing always happens. Could it be something
else? I am at a dead-end and it is cold here in the Northeast in the winter. Any
help would be greatly appreciated.Answer: The chances of three separate
thermostats being faulty are extremely remote. We suggest verifying the in-dash
temperature gauge using a temporary thermometer in the radiator. It is possible
that in-between thermostat changes, your truck lost a small amount of coolant, either
externally or internally from the engine which would cause the temperature gauge
to fluctuate.
Question: 1995 Ford Mustang, mileage: 161,000. Recently my temperature
gauge has been fluctuating wildly. The gauge reads almost (but not quite) in the
red then falls back to the center of the normal range. I cannot predict what
will make the needle move (speed, vent, a/c, etc.). Along with this wild fluctuation,
the car intermittently blows cold air when the heat is on. Please help.
Answer: We think your problem is a low coolant level. With the engine
cold, and we mean cold, open the radiator cap (not the overflow cap) and it should
be clear full. If not, fill it to the top. Over the next couple of days,
check for coolant leaks under the car when parked.
Question: 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, mileage 165,000. The temperature
gauge needle rises and falls back about every 7 seconds while driving down the highway.
While sitting in traffic it rises very quickly but cools upon normal driving, once
in awhile I will notice a small puddle of coolant under the car after shutting the
car off. Is it possible the water pump is going?
Answer: A partially plugged radiator may be causing your problem.
Have the radiator “boiled” out at a radiator service center. Also, have the
cooling system checked for leaks.
Question: 2002 Honda Accord, mileage: 80,278. I would like to know
the average running temperature for this car, with Florida’s temperatures of 85
- 90 degrees. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Answer: The average temperature for your car should be 170 to 200
degrees. If it is running warmer than that, check the fan clutch and/or radiator.
Question: 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, mileage: 60,000. My temperature gauge
does not move. Generally, when engine has warmed, the needle should move somewhere
between markings of 70C and 110C (Canada). Needle does not move and implies that
car has not warmed. Idle is rough. Are we looking at a sensor or simply a thermostat?
Answer: The thermostat may be your problem. Remove the thermostat and
check it when it is cold to see that it is closed. Put the thermostat in a pan of
hot water on a stove. The thermostat should be open when the water is near boiling.
If the thermostat is okay, the temperature sensor may be your problem.
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