Temperature PRoblem

[t.soby]

I hope this is the right thread to ask this question in. Today i was driving in from Langdon and about 10 minutes into my drive my temp gauge went up almost to the H but not quite when i turned from 797 to Highway 1. it came down to just under halfway after about a minute then it was fine until i stopped in traffic downtown it went up about 3/4 of the way up the meter. but almost immediately went back down when i moved up a little. i stopped numerous times in traffic before and after and it didnt go up or down. what could be causing this? it seems when i press my brakes the hot air blowing in the car lightens up a little bit but not very much and not all the time. i also have to drive to banff tomorrow and am worried about that. its a 98 mazda 626

[gretz]

did you check your coolant level?

[t.soby]

yeah gonna do that after work. so lets say the coolant is low. i just bought the car used three weeks ago. do i just grab some and pour it in? or should i be looking for a specific coolant

[speedog]

Originally posted by t.soby
yeah gonna do that after work. so lets say the coolant is low. i just bought the car used three weeks ago. do i just grab some and pour it in? or should i be looking for a specific coolant

You're quite new to this car thing, aren't ya?

[G-ZUS]

Some cars have their own specific coolants and coolant colors. You would want to know why you are low on coolant also.

[DeleriousZ]

Time for a coolant flush maybe? Sounds like it's either low or freezing.

[cet]

Could also be the thermostat. I had the same type of thing happening in the summer.

[Graham_A_M]

Likely your coolant is low, very low. So with its absence, there is not enough of it to circulate to the thermostat at other parts it normally needs to flow to, and thus cool.
So absolutely fill it up before you do serious engine damage, since when there is no coolant going to the top of the engine, it can warp with the huge temp swings of when it DOES get coolant, VS when it doesn't.

Just buy typical pre-mixed coolant/anti-freeze, at any Canadian tire. Fill the coolant reservoir, drive it around for a block or two (so the radiator can suck in the coolant as needed) then top it off, you'll likely have to do this a few times until the radiator is full.


Failing this? its the temperature sending unit for the engine.

[gretz]

Don't top up the reservoir, there will be a fill line, usually 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up.

[bjstare]

If the temp swings are quite fast, it is likely low coolant (as stated above).

If the temp swings follow the same pattern, but are slow, and your coolant level is okay, it could mean your thermostat is stuck open. This is a pretty cheap and quick fix.

[firebane]

If you are losing coolant you have larger issues somewhere.

My truck loses coolant but its because a fitting on the radiator is toast and when it pressures up it spews everywhere.

[t.soby]

okay ill check the coolant level after work and if its low ill stop by canadian tire. im not very mechanically inclined you could say. but ill look what color it is and buy the matching color pre mixed coolant. its not like really fast of a temperature swing the whole process takes approximately 30second to a minute

[firebane]

Originally posted by t.soby
okay ill check the coolant level after work and if its low ill stop by canadian tire. im not very mechanically inclined you could say. but ill look what color it is and buy the matching color pre mixed coolant. its not like really fast of a temperature swing the whole process takes approximately 30second to a minute

The car has to be cooled down if you are going to do anything with the radiator. If you don't it could be under pressure which could lead to bad things.

[roll_over]

Word don't open the radiator cap if it is warm to the touch. Unless you like being covered in scalding hot coolant and second degree burns

[t.soby]

haha i know that ive seen the horrible result of someone doing it at a gas station. wasnt pretty.

[Kloubek]

^Seen that happen. It wasn't pretty.

[Graham_A_M]

Originally posted by gretz
Don't top up the reservoir, there will be a fill line, usually 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up.

Thats what I should have said, but I was in a real rush when I wrote that, I had to leave for a job interview.

[t.soby]

So I got home and checked under it its still to hot to open. But under the expsnion tank looks wet. There's something like putty and it looks like its dripping out but its fairly high up the expansion tank. I wish I saw that before I bought it but what can ya do. I'm guessing it leaked out of that. Enough to semi effect it. From Calgary to Langdon it only spiked once near sait.

[Offroad]

uh oh hope you didn't blow a head gasket.......oil and antifreeze mixed....light brown putty/milk chocolate color oh wait confused ....you have putty on the tank or looks like color leaking out ?

[G-ZUS]

*edit* misread