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Post by Dan Wogan on Oct 25, 2015 9:08:34 GMT -6
Hey all,
Hopefully a small problem with my Aurora, but the last two times I've driven it on the highway I've been almost spiking on engine temperature. Both times that I've seen it happen, I've started blasting the heat (don't know if that trick works on this car) and exited the highway to pull over as soon as I could. The weird thing is that both times I exited the highway, the temperature went back down to halfway before I could even pull the car over and kill the engine. After the first time I popped the hood and checked the coolant level, which was sitting happily at the hot line.
So, if it's not a coolant problem, then maybe bad sensor or water pump? Any other ideas? It may be worth mentioning that I noticed the cooling fans running the other day when the car was on but the gauge was right at halfway. Shouldn't they only be running when the engine is too hot, AKA not at halfway on the gauge where it usually is? My guess is a bad sensor since it seems to just fluctuate willy nilly even with plenty of coolant in the reservoir.
Anyway, I'd appreciate if anyone has any input! Thanks!
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Post by Toronado3800 on Oct 25, 2015 20:18:09 GMT -6
The air or defrost being on should get the cooling fans on to circulate the air the a/c needs.
It is possible your gauge is bad. That would drive me nuts. Obviously if it says 280 and your coolant is not boiling something is amis. I don't know how to test your sensor. Seems there should be a way before you throw parts at it
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 25, 2015 20:47:32 GMT -6
Couple possibles;
1. Missing/damaged air deflector
2. Tstat not opening fully
3. Partially blocked radiator
4. Worn water pump/water pump belt/tensioner
5. Collapsing lower radiator hose
Hook up a scan tool to eliminate a faulty gauge. Could be a faulty coolant temp sensor, but you'd likely have problems at all speeds.
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RCA1186
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Rob
Go Pack Go!
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Post by RCA1186 on Oct 26, 2015 6:30:57 GMT -6
Couple possibles; 1. Missing/damaged air deflector 2. Tstat not opening fully 3. Partially blocked radiator 4. Worn water pump/water pump belt/tensioner 5. Collapsing lower radiator hose Hook up a scan tool to eliminate a faulty gauge. Could be a faulty coolant temp sensor, but you'd likely have problems at all speeds. All of this. My suggestion was also going to be to check the front of your radiator for a blockage (i/e plastic bag, newspaper etc) It wouldn't be the first time. |
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Post by Dan Wogan on Oct 26, 2015 16:10:25 GMT -6
Thanks for the replies!! I haven't had an air deflector for like 10 years, so I'm interested in how that would cause such a reading now after all that time. All the others I understood and have checked more or less, but also had my family mechanic take a look at it. He ran one of those tests that chemically reacts with the vapors in the coolant reservoir and determined (quite quickly) that there was combustion occurring inside the reservoir, meaning that there is a crack/leak/split etc. in one of the head gaskets or elsewhere which is leaking exhaust into the cooling system. So potentially super bad news, so bad that if this is true I won't be able to afford the fix/new head gasket among anything else the pressure destroyed in the process, nor will it be worth it on such an old car with other problems (transmission mainly).
He has one last method, which I've never heard of before, where he flushes the entire cooling system then pours in water along with this special fluid, which when running the engine for 50ish minutes, seals any leaks or cracks in the system. This is the only way (unless any of you know) to seal the leak without going in and finding/replacing the parts causing the leak. I just wanted to let you all know and wanted to ask if you had any input on these new developments.
Please pray for my baby in the meantime!!
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 26, 2015 23:28:22 GMT -6
Geez Dan, really sorry to hear that. I'm not a big fan of the "miracle in a bottle" stuff, but do whatcha gotta do I guess. Good luck! ...I haven't had an air deflector for like 10 years, so I'm interested in how that would cause such a reading now after all that time. Didn't realize you were running without it, just added to the list a possibles. It is a functional piece though. At high speed, without a deflector, most of the air meant for the radiator goes under the vehicle, so the rad only get air from the horizontal slit in the fascia... |
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Post by Dan Wogan on Oct 27, 2015 11:08:11 GMT -6
Geez Dan, really sorry to hear that. I'm not a big fan of the "miracle in a bottle" stuff, but do whatcha gotta do I guess. Good luck! ...I haven't had an air deflector for like 10 years, so I'm interested in how that would cause such a reading now after all that time. Didn't realize you were running without it, just added to the list a possibles. It is a functional piece though. At high speed, without a deflector, most of the air meant for the radiator goes under the vehicle, so the rad only get air from the horizontal slit in the fascia... Thanks tigger. Still hoping for the best, haven't heard back yet! As for the air deflector, I always thought the point of it was to... uh... deflect air under the vehicle haha but I guess it would make much more sense that it would direct it into the radiator since we don't have grills, just the slit you mentioned. Perhaps if the fix works I'll ask around for one! |
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