Engine overheating

BENSON YU

MEMBER
1992 DAIHATSU CHARADE
1.3L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
300,000 MILES

When turned on and after about 30 minutes, temperature goes up to over half the temperature gauge, followed by unusual noises. Water gets lesser from the radiator. Needs topping up 250cc every day.

Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:51 AM

15 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

From constant overheating, you may have damaged the head gasket. I would check that to be sure it is not damaged.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

I attached some guides for things to check.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

Roy

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 6:11 AM

BENSON YU

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9 POSTS

The mechanic has removed the cylinder head and skimmed it. I wonder if it has been skimmed too much that it becomes too thin.
Incidentally, could it be due to faulty electrical parts? Like radiator fan, though functioning, but does not function properly? Is there any switch that governs the speed of the fan?

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 6:24 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

The fan has just one speed. It should come on at 208 degrees and goes off around 190. If you have A/C the fan will come on when the compressor comes on.

Ask him about the radiator and thermostat. Did he replace the thermostat? Did he do a flow test on the radiator?

Those are 2 very important checks.

Roy

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 6:27 AM

BENSON YU

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Because the car runs in hot climate, so the thermostat has been removed, according to the mechanic. Does the removal of the thermostat cause overheating problem? As far as I understand, the thermostat is only useful in cold climate, isn't it true?

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 6:41 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
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Yes, a very bad move. You must have a thermostat. Without it, the coolant will not circulate at the back of the motor resulting in a head gasket failure or worse.

You must have a thermostat.

Roy

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 7:02 AM

BENSON YU

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Thanks! I will insist that a thermostat be put back. Catch up again.

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 7:06 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 7:07 AM

BENSON YU

MEMBER
9 POSTS

Hi, it is again. The temperature gauge stays at this level, to the middle most of the time. Is it normal? It didn't stay this high previously before the repair. The fan does kick in, but it seems a bit too late.

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Friday, February 28th, 2020 AT 2:40 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Okay, that is normal.

Do you have the thermostat installed?

Roy

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Friday, February 28th, 2020 AT 4:22 AM

BENSON YU

MEMBER
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The mechanic insisted that a thermostat is not necessary. However, if the temperature keeps staying high, then he will consider, as he says that the installation of a thermostat keeps the temperature up instead of down.

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Friday, February 28th, 2020 AT 5:22 AM

ASEMASTER6371

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It is a shame that he does not understand how an engine cooling system works.

Make sure he will warranty all the head gasket work when it fails again. It is not a question of if it will fail, just when it will fail again.

Roy

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Friday, February 28th, 2020 AT 5:32 AM

BENSON YU

MEMBER
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I was told the other day that there are two types of thermostat, one that gets activated at 72 degrees Celsius and another at 95 degrees Celsius. Is it true? Which one should I get?