HI All
I was driving from Berri back to Adelaide during the 45.7 deg day the other day, air con on arctic blast 110k/h and noticed the temp needle sitting halfway (as usual) but it started to go up and down between 1 line.As this has never happened, i put it down to the extreme heat, as adelaide was 45.7 but where i was could have easily been 5 deg hotter.The road was closed due to a smash, and i was diverted thru Sedan and had to go up a HUGE winding hill for about 3 kays:shock: , at this point the temp headed north to about 3/4.As soon as the climb was over the needle dropped back to halfway.
Has any one else had this? Do i put it down to the extreme conditions or could this be the start of something i need to get fixed, keeping in mind the car is 9yrs old with 140K on the clock.

HI All
I was driving from Berri back to Adelaide during the 45.7 deg day the other day, air con on arctic blast 110k/h and noticed the temp needle sitting halfway (as usual) but it started to go up and down between 1 line.As this has never happened, i put it down to the extreme heat, as adelaide was 45.7 but where i was could have easily been 5 deg hotter.The road was closed due to a smash, and i was diverted thru Sedan and had to go up a HUGE winding hill for about 3 kays:shock: , at this point the temp headed north to about 3/4.As soon as the climb was over the needle dropped back to halfway.
Has any one else had this? Do i put it down to the extreme conditions or could this be the start of something i need to get fixed, keeping in mind the car is 9yrs old with 140K on the clock.

Mine goes up 1 notch when the A/C isn't on or the thermo fan isn't on, with the A/C on it stays at half.

I plan on getting my cooling system checked out soon.

I would put this down to the extreme conditions, if its been fine up until this week - at that temp its totally normally for it to sit slightly higher as the engine is required to work harder to cool the car (its sucking in warm air compared to colder air like usually, which makes it harder to convert which in turn makes the needle move higher up)

Just make sure your fluids are topped up, this time of year often sends hoses piercing so its a good idea before each summer to check their condition. Also if you dont know when the thermostat was changed its a good idea to get this done at the next service & the radiator cap is another simple at home thing you can do )make sure the seal is still fresh!

Hope this helps

Couple of things...

Firstly as a general warning, I have seen a mate after being badly burnt trying to remove a hot radiator cap... not pretty! even if you have to let a car sit for an hour or 2 never risk it. You may be perfectly aware of this, some people aren't.

Make sure the radiator mesh is not full of bugs or covered by anything and that the air is able to flow thru it easily.

Assuming you have a working thermal engine cooling fan, ensure it is working (best to check on a hot day)

You might want to consider doing a radiator flush, refresh and adding a coolant to the water to help prevent it from boiling. don't forget to bleed the air out if you do it afterwards and retop up.

The other thing (as said above) is checking the temperature rating of your thermostat... I can't recall what the recommended temps are for a magna, and although it is a pain in the rump if you have the wrong thermostat in it could be playing havoc on your cooling system. Years ago (prior to having the magna) I used to change mine in winter and summer to different ratings to adapt to conditions (a bit OTT). Even just checking to see if it is opening by dropping it in a mug of boiling water... they don't last forever those things.

Most of this stuff would be better done on a cool day... but it's like everything else, we tend to leave things until after it's probably a bit later (like servicing a lawnmower at the start of summer)

I'd say don't panic but having the gauge a 3/4 and having to stop for a prolonged period of time could be risky... half way is ok or near it.

Couple of things...

Firstly as a general warning, I have seen a mate after being badly burnt trying to remove a hot radiator cap... not pretty! even if you have to let a car sit for an hour or 2 never risk it. You may be perfectly aware of this, some people aren't.



I burnt my eyes years ago when a radiator burst, was not nice

The Magna should be able to keep temp in that heat no worries, you do have an issue

As Neil said, first check your radiator and air con condensor for bugs and rubbish, if clean, get a thremostat fitted, they are not expensive. If still no good, then move to radiator being blocked

Your fans might as well not be there at that speed so is not an issue anyway

I know that hill mate, not a nice spot. Id say that it was more than 5 deg more out there, i was working in that area the other day and it was 54 in the sun, the road would have been much hotter. Id put it down to the conditions.

I burnt my eyes years ago when a radiator burst, was not nice



Many moons ago my old VE Valiant V8 was overheating on a trip to Adelaide so we well I found a big LONG stick and gently opened the cap from a distance and we had an instant radiator flush .... she never overheated again!

DO NOT TRY THIS KIDS

Tess thats almost as funny as when me and my dad test drove a 2nd gen for about 25mins, got back to the yard and my dad immediately opened the radiator cap and spewed fluid all over the car dealer. Had no choice but to buy it after that :redface:

Tess thats almost as funny as when me and my dad test drove a 2nd gen for about 25mins, got back to the yard and my dad immediately opened the radiator cap and spewed fluid all over the car dealer. Had no choice but to buy it after that :redface:

LOL

Yes you do, you run, run like hell.

Hahahaahaah ooh im cracking up here!

Replying to the thread:

I had that issue when i was driving around Hobart at 40+ degrees in traffic. I stopped outside a store with the car in Park for about 10 mins. The needle was slowly creeping up. It would get to 3/4 + and then drop back down a bit...as soon as i opened up the throttle, itd fall down, climb abck up, no problems when cruising though. Went home, had a look at radiator level, reserve tank, coolant was precariously low.....chucked in more coolant. Been checking it closely and i know a radiator flush would be good....but no problems since and the mercury has only gone higher here now that summer is in :)

Thanks guys, i might just give it a flush and fresh coolant, its about due anyway.I gave to magna to the wife today and took the corolla, the ac in THAT still struggled. You know its HOT when a toyo ac doesnt cool u!!!!!!

Make sure that fan is kicking in and working 100%.

Many moons ago my old VE Valiant V8 was overheating on a trip to Adelaide so we well I found a big LONG stick and gently opened the cap from a distance and we had an instant radiator flush .... she never overheated again!

DO NOT TRY THIS KIDS

I can not stop laughing, not at you but the fact that mine also happened on a VE Val, was a rally car (dont laugh, went very hard and being heavy loved the dirt)

The top of the radiator that holds the cap blew while I was leaning over the engine.


Make sure that fan is kicking in and working 100%.

As stated above, at 100k's or even at 70, the fans do nothing as the air flowing through the radiator is a far greater volume than any fan will drag through

I can not stop laughing, not at you but the fact that mine also happened on a VE Val, was a rally car (dont laugh, went very hard and being heavy loved the dirt)

The top of the radiator that holds the cap blew while I was leaning over the engine.

The trip was hilarious we had my VIP one of the boys had a Rambler Hornet and the other had one of the last RWD type Corolla's which was the only car with A/C but with it on he couldn't keep up. The screams and people running everywhere when the cap came off the Valiant was so funny, but it was amazing that doing that fixed the cooling system on the old 273V8.

Here is the old girl.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tessa403/Cars/VEVIP.jpg

wow that was a GREAT looking car :)