cooling engine

karlncas · Post by **karlncas** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:43 pm

Hi all,

The other day I replaced a small hose on the mx5 which has coolant running
through it, I also put new coolant in which I bought from Repco, today while
driving from palmerston north to wanganui I noticed the temp guage was
moving up and down , only slightly but enough to have me watch it
constantly, it was as per normal in the perfect position pointing up but as
I went up a hill or drove slightly faster for any time it would creep to the
right a bit ( still over the icon on the dial face) ,I have never noticed
this before, so:

Is this normal or not?

Is there a difference in coolants and there effectiveness?

Is this a sign my thermostat is slowly packing in?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Karl

Mike Jolley · Post by **Mike Jolley** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:14 pm

Dont think it would be thermostat and most antifreeze with correct % works
same.Is your car Green>?Could be an alien was above you . Nanu Nanu, mike

Mikkels · Post by **Mikkels** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:36 pm

I had that problem which slowly got worse. Replaced the
thermostat and the radiator cap to no avail. Finally
removed the radiator and took it to a repairer who rodded it
out for $70.

Problem solved

Water is the best coolant around but is corrosive and
freezes at 0 degrees to often disasterous effect. Coolant
is there as an anticorrosive and to lower the feezing point
of water. It does raise the boiling point as well but
affects the latent heat capacity negatively resulting in
about a break even on heat capacity

In a hot climate you can use water alone but you will pay
the price with corrosion.

Don

[...]

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:07 pm

My temperature reading was slightly unstable until it became extremely
un5table when the top radiator tank split! After repairing it (replaced
tank) and a good clean of the core, the temperature reading became very
stable. Never moved at all. The radiator repair man said the slight
temperature instability was very common on Japanese import vehicles as the
radiator cores are often quite clogged with gunk.

Grant.

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:14 pm

Yes, this could be normal, or a bit of air.

Also I am not sure which model you have or what the ECU does with the
throttle closed. Many modern cars, my BMW for example, use no fuel at all
(absolutely none) when coasting in gear down hill.
Yours may be the same, someone on the list will know.
The effect of this, when you first see it, is quite alarming, for instance,
going down the Kaimais towards Tauranga with 4th gear selected on the
Tiptronic, the BMW cools down to the extent that I can put my hand flat on
the cam covers at the bottom of the hill, but BMW tell me that the
thermostat is fine and this is not unusual. Hey, who am I to argue with
them.

I would check the fluid level and make sure the cooling system is fully bled
and then keep an eye on th gauge for a while

Eric

poison · Post by **poison** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:05 pm

Beg to differ about water being the best coolant, alcohol would be better and
perhaps even refrigerant if we could solve the pressure, explosive and leakage
issues

Gazza
"PO1SON"

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:18 pm

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 22:05:36 +1200, you wrote:

Beg to differ about water being the best coolant, alcohol would be better and perhaps even refrigerant if we could solve the pressure, explosive and leakage issues

Gazza
"PO1SON"

Hell. Do you guys put Lion Red in the radiator ?

Colin Francis

joanie · Post by **joanie** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:27 pm

Hell. Do you guys put Lion Red in the radiator ?

Lion Red is not alcohol it must be a refrigerant

Joan H

poison · Post by **poison** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:34 pm

Actually we use Speights, it's made up here now

Mikkels · Post by **Mikkels** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:39 pm

Gazza

Thanks for proving one of the laws of usenet

Don

[...]

Colin Francis · Post by **Colin Francis** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:11 pm

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 22:34:21 +1200, you wrote:

Actually we use Speights, it's made up here now

Good onya mate.

--
Col

http://miata.cardomain.com/memberpage/684887

MX5PWR · Post by **MX5PWR** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:20 am

Hi Karl, when you put the coolant in, did you turn the heater onto high (this
opens the heater system) leave the radiator cap off and run the car up to temo
(this opens the thermostat) then top up the water level. You need to do this
to ensure there are no air bubbles in the system as if there are it will cause
problems.

Good luck, Nigel

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