Troubleshooting temperature spike
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#1598441
(In Topic #217363)
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I started the engine to warm it up. I've been troubleshooting a small coolant leak, so I checked the level while the engine was warming up. Sure enough it was a little low so I popped the cap on the reservoir, slowly let the air hiss out, and the poured in 3-4 cups of pre-diluted 50/50 coolant/antifreeze until it reached the fill line on the reservoir. Closed up the cap and started driving.
About 15 minutes later I noticed the temperature gauge climbed all the way to the top. Today is a warm day, but I wasn't driving particularly hard and I've never seen it do that before. The needle usually sites a bit below the middle. I was worried about overheating so I turned around to go home, driving it as gently as possible. About 10 minutes later the needle dropped back down to normal and stayed that way the rest of the drive home.
What happened? What would cause the temperature to spike abruptly like that, and then drop back down? Or does this sound more like a bad gauge? Besides today, the gauge has seemed to behave normally, but I've never had any reason to question it.
Posted
Local Hero
Check the coolant level again now it's cold.
Could also be the wire/connection to the senoror the sensor is playing up?
Do you have a top fill radiator or an expansion tank near the brake master cyinder?
1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
Posted
Settling In
I have a little plastic jug of coolant over the driver side wheel…
Posted
Local Hero
Then use a UV light on the heater hoses and block connections to see a green residual trail.
When I have had flange leaks the block evaps the stuff, so all you can do is look for the residue.
Ones that are tuff to spot.
Water Pump seal weeps. Heater Valves that are leaking.
Bad t-stat and seal.
What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
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Settling In
Posted
Local Hero
This then starts to cause leaks and burst hoses and radiators. The owners chase these fixing each one in turn only for the next weakest link to go.
Are the radiator hoses rock hard when running and up to temperature?
1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet
The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet
The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
Posted
Settling In
I fired it up and ran a couple local errands to get it up to temperature and then popped the hood checked both the hoses coming off the engine. They were both soft an pliable. I felt like I could pinch the sides together if I squeezed hard enough (but I didn't). Is that a good sign? I was actually surprised at how not pressurized they felt. But the temperature seemed just fine.
Posted
Local Hero
1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet
The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet
The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
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