View Full Version : Stupid question
Svashtar
07-01-2005, 07:57 PM
Flashed my computer this morning before taking the car to the dealer. When I picked it up the dealer had left it idling outside the shop for almost 15 minutes. When I got in I noticed the temp gauge was pegged at the max. I gave it gas for a few seconds and the temp dropped to normal.
OK, here's the dumb question: with the OEM program and the UD pullies, the car only idles at just over 500 RPM. Why would the low RPM heat it up that fast? I know more coolant is cycled as the car runs faster, but I didn't think of this. Guess I didn't drive it enough with the OEM program and the UD pullies to notice this problem. Either that or I have never sat with it idling that long.
I reflashed it back right away with DR's tune and the idle jumped a couple of hundred RPM, so I hope this doesn't happen again, and also hope that something didn't get fried while it sat there. No steam or smoke though, just the high temp gauge.
Thanks,
Norm
FordNut
07-01-2005, 08:00 PM
Sounds like low coolant level. Can't be good for it to run that hot. Hopefully nothing seriously damaged.
Rider90
07-01-2005, 08:00 PM
Norm, you have coolant right? I assume you checked, but this is very strange. I don't think the programmer has the ability to do something like that, so it must be mechanics.
MENINBLK
07-01-2005, 08:08 PM
Same thing happened to my Marauder.
My dealer changed the thermostat and replaced the coolant under warranty.
Now it runs even better.
Flashed my computer this morning before taking the car to the dealer. When I picked it up the dealer had left it idling outside the shop for almost 15 minutes. When I got in I noticed the temp gauge was pegged at the max. I gave it gas for a few seconds and the temp dropped to normal.
OK, here's the dumb question: with the OEM program and the UD pullies, the car only idles at just over 500 RPM. Why would the low RPM heat it up that fast? I know more coolant is cycled as the car runs faster, but I didn't think of this. Guess I didn't drive it enough with the OEM program and the UD pullies to notice this problem. Either that or I have never sat with it idling that long.
I reflashed it back right away with DR's tune and the idle jumped a couple of hundred RPM, so I hope this doesn't happen again, and also hope that something didn't get fried while it sat there. No steam or smoke though, just the high temp gauge.
Thanks,
Norm
Donny Carlson
07-01-2005, 08:09 PM
Sounds like low coolant level. Can't be good for it to run that hot. Hopefully nothing seriously damaged.
And I don't think revving the engine is a good idea when the temp gauge is pegged at the max.
One word: Meziere. Circulates 55 gpm no matter what pullies you have, even with the motor off (as long as the key is on).
http://www.meziere.com/images/wp346a.jpg (http://www.meziere.com/images/wp346azoom.jpg)
Svashtar
07-01-2005, 08:12 PM
Sounds like low coolant level. Can't be good for it to run that hot. Hopefully nothing seriously damaged.
I just checked and it is down about 1.5" in the reservoir from where it should be. You would think the dealer would have checked that, but I should have as well. How would I know if I fried anything? No way to tell but drive it I guess. Wished I had known that the whole time it was sitting there 50 yards away they had left it running!
Thanks,
Norm
FordNut
07-01-2005, 08:12 PM
And I don't think revving the engine is a good idea when the temp gauge is pegged at the max.
One word: Meziere. Circulates 55 gpm no matter what pullies you have, even with the motor off (as long as the key is on).
http://www.meziere.com/images/wp346a.jpg (http://www.meziere.com/images/wp346azoom.jpg)
And it frees up about 10-12 rwhp to have fun with!
FordNut
07-01-2005, 08:14 PM
I just checked and it is down about 1.5" in the reservoir from where it should be. You would think the dealer would have checked that, but I should have as well. How would I know if I fried anything? No way to tell but drive it I guess. Wished I had known that the whole time it was sitting there 50 yards away they had left it running!
Thanks,
Norm
Reservoir level doesn't tell you much. Pull the plug in the crossover tube, that is where you need to fill the system from.
Svashtar
07-01-2005, 08:18 PM
And I don't think revving the engine is a good idea when the temp gauge is pegged at the max.
One word: Meziere. Circulates 55 gpm no matter what pullies you have, even with the motor off (as long as the key is on).
Yeah, I have the Meziere pump, just haven't installed it yet. You're right, if I had I wouldn't have had the problem. As to the advisability of running the engine, I could either sit there for a half-hour with it baking and let it cool down or run the engine for 10 seconds to get the coolant circulating, so had to make a judgement call.
Thanks,
Norm
Svashtar
07-01-2005, 08:24 PM
Reservoir level doesn't tell you much. Pull the plug in the crossover tube, that is where you need to fill the system from.
Why? By adding it to the resevoir I can at least see how much to add, right? If I add to the crossover tube, will it show in the reservoir as the cold amount? How will I not overfill it that way?
Also, do you think the relatively new 180 stat should be replaced because of the overheat?
Thanks,
Norm
martyo
07-01-2005, 11:17 PM
Do you think the relatively new 180 stat should be replaced because of the overheat?
If your question is "did the overheat hurt the thermostat" the answer would be "no". The 'stat isn't a sacrificial part so an overheat condition wouldn't hurt it, but if the 'stat were bad, it could cause an overheat condition.
Got it?
BillyGman
07-02-2005, 02:37 AM
Why? By adding it to the resevoir I can at least see how much to add, right? If I add to the crossover tube, will it show in the reservoir as the cold amount? How will I not overfill it that way?
Also, do you think the relatively new 180 stat should be replaced because of the overheat?
Thanks,
NormFill the coolant in the cros over tube opening until you cannot get anymore coolant in it, and it begins to overflow out of that hole. And allow me to state the obvious.......do this with the engine cold!! I wouldn't even open that cross over tube hole while the engine is hot if I were you.
FordNut
07-02-2005, 04:05 AM
Why? By adding it to the resevoir I can at least see how much to add, right? If I add to the crossover tube, will it show in the reservoir as the cold amount? How will I not overfill it that way?
Also, do you think the relatively new 180 stat should be replaced because of the overheat?
Thanks,
Norm
The reservoir is not the high point in the cooling system, the crossover tube is. If the coolant level is low, filling the reservoir to the top still won't fill the cooling system in the engine. To see this, you can remove the plug in the crossover tube and remove the cap from the reservoir. Fill at the coolant tube and watch the reservoir overflow while the engine is still not full. That should show you that no matter how full the reservoir is the engine is not necessarily full. Close the cap on the reservoir and you can fill the engine at the crossover tube. Loosely install the plug and start the engine and the level may go down if there are empty places such as the heater core. Or the level may go up if there are no empty places and then it will overflow out the fill plug. Of course you can just turn on the key and watch the water circulate while you fill it without starting the engine if you have the electric pump.
The question I would have is why would it be low to start with? Did the dealer change the antifreeze and possibly not fill it properly?
Svashtar
07-02-2005, 04:22 PM
If your question is "did the overheat hurt the thermostat" the answer would be "no". The 'stat isn't a sacrificial part so an overheat condition wouldn't hurt it, but if the 'stat were bad, it could cause an overheat condition.
Got it?
Got it! Thanks Marty. It's only a few months old so should be fine then.
Svashtar
07-02-2005, 04:27 PM
The reservoir is not the high point in the cooling system, the crossover tube is. If the coolant level is low, filling the reservoir to the top still won't fill the cooling system in the engine. To see this, you can remove the plug in the crossover tube and remove the cap from the reservoir. Fill at the coolant tube and watch the reservoir overflow while the engine is still not full. That should show you that no matter how full the reservoir is the engine is not necessarily full. Close the cap on the reservoir and you can fill the engine at the crossover tube. Loosely install the plug and start the engine and the level may go down if there are empty places such as the heater core. Or the level may go up if there are no empty places and then it will overflow out the fill plug. Of course you can just turn on the key and watch the water circulate while you fill it without starting the engine if you have the electric pump.
The question I would have is why would it be low to start with? Did the dealer change the antifreeze and possibly not fill it properly?
I guess that's what happened, which really tees me off. Even though it was only about a 1/4 gallon low, it shouldn't have been low at all. Every drop of coolant spilled when I changed the therm went right back into the system. I stopped taking it to the dealer for the oil changes, so now will just have my mechanic flush and fill the system when needed.
Thanks again for all the good info.
Norm
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