temp won't go down

[htownboss]

a buddy of mine bought a stock 03 marauder about a month ago now itz driving pretty bad the temp will not go down stays around the red da whole time he drives he took me for a ride and the power is not the same it takes awhile for car to shift into the next gear it feels like it struggles to shift and the rpms drop before it shifts but when it does shift it shifts hard I'm not a expert but advised him to not drive it till he gets it fixed any ideas on wuts wrong?

[BAD MERC]

Thermostat!!! If he drives it in the red all the time he may have damaged the motor and most definitely baked the balls off the transmission. Most engine management systems back the power way down during overheated running and go into "limp mode". I am stunned that he would continue driving!

Whoa - is your avatar that "marauder" with the two-tone red paint and Buick fender vents? Oh boy...

[RacerX]

I'm not a expert but advised him to not drive it till he gets it fixed any ideas on wuts wrong?
Take his keys! You are more of an "expert" than he!!! He needs to bleed the cooling system of air! READ!
http://reischeperformance.com/refill (http://reischeperformance.com/refill)

P.S. Driving like that will destroy your aluminum engine, warp your heads, etc.

[musclemerc]

Hey Boss, could you post a pic of your MM?

[burt ragio]

For the love of Pete why would anyone continue to drive a car when the water temp is in the red. For the car to shift into limp mode it was more than over heated. If you didn't warp the heads fry motor or trans follow the above post by racerx. Then take a course in 101 mechanics or go buy a Yugo.

[fastblackmerc]

For the love of Pete why would anyone continue to drive a car when the water temp is in the red. For the car to shift into limp mode it was more than over heated. If you didn't warp the heads fry motor or trans follow the above post by racerx. Then take a course in 101 mechanics or go buy a Yugo.

Better yet get a Prius, more gas for us to use.

[SpartaPerformance]

Lets hope you didn't blow a head gasket or damage any engine components Aluminum is a lot for fragile to high temps then iron. Dumb question but is there any coolant in the engine? How many miles are on the car, if it has high mileage perhaps the water pump impellers have been worn down.

[sailsmen]

The virtual no consequence generation, "just reboot" and it all starts from the begining, love it!;)

You are obviously a good friend to help him, the only long term solution is for him to give you the keys.

[Mac-MerC]

Whoa - is your avatar that "marauder" with the two-tone red paint and Buick fender vents? Oh boy...

Was that necessary?.....

[Sheepy]

Radiator could be dirty. Go powerwash it while you are at it too.

[03blackmerc]

change t-stat and flush system, remember to keep the front end up higher than the rear...., i had an air pocket in mine as well because i did the t-stat with the front end low.

[JimmyXR7]

Thermostat!!! If he drives it in the red all the time he may have damaged the motor and most definitely baked the balls off the transmission. Most engine management systems back the power way down during overheated running and go into "limp mode". I am stunned that he would continue driving!

...</p></p>You did not list the mileage, but last month my Marauder, Dec 2002 build date, also had the common Thermostat problem at 68,000 miles. Do a search for more info and follow the coolant burping/re-fill steps. Then pray the excessive heat did not toast the transmission or engine. Check the engine oil and trans fluid and replace if any changes from normal/new fluid. Jim

[RF Overlord]

+1000 what they said^^^

Tell your buddy to STOP driving the car immediately until he gets it fixed. If he hasn't already damaged the motor, if he keeps driving he will...

Sounds like the cooling system needs to be purged of air. It's very common with these motors and we call it "burping the system".