My radiator? gauge just climbed to the red zone after driving into the foothills outside Denver. It's never happened before. ...doesn't smell overheated, nor have I driven it since it happened. (I just left it at my sister's place for the day.)
Any chance it could just be the gauge? ... or can I drive it, say 25 miles, as long as I don't feel it overheat under the hood? What damage could occur? What are some of the possible parts or fixes?
Can I get help at a parts store, or will I have to take it in to my new mechanic? Sure would like to to find out it's only an inexpensive sensor! Tell me the whole truth ... of possibilities, please.
Thanks a million!
240DL '88 Radiator? gauge hit red (Denver)
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Kmaniac in California USA
- Posts: 301
- Joined: 15 January 2005
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- Location: Concord, California USA
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I am going to give you a list of things to check before you run to the mechanic.
First of all, check the coolant level in your overflow tank and radiator. This is best done with the car cold. Since you haven't driven it in a while, it should be cold now. If low or empty, refill with water and check for leaks. Leaking hoses, radiator or missing freeze plugs will be easy to spot.
If your radiator is full and there are no signs of leakage, we have to look elsewhere.
Check to see that you have all of your fan belts. A broken belt to your water pump will cause the car to overheat. If all the belts are there, check to see how tight they are. A loose belt on the water pump is no better than no belt at all.
If the radiator is full, there are no leaks and you have all your belts tight, then we need to look at other functions. Start the car and drive it around until it warms up. If it overheats within one mile of driving, most likely your thermostat has failed in the closed position, preventing water circulation. If it maintains normal temperature while moving, but overheats when sitting still at a stop light or in your driveway, there may be a problem with your cooling fan behind the radiator not functioning. If you have an electric fan, this could mean a bad fan motor, motor switch or temperature sensor. If you have a clutch fan driven by a fan belt, the fan clutch may not be functioning. This may take a mechanic to figure out if you are not that mechanically incline.
I hope this points you in the right direction. Please let us know what you find.
First of all, check the coolant level in your overflow tank and radiator. This is best done with the car cold. Since you haven't driven it in a while, it should be cold now. If low or empty, refill with water and check for leaks. Leaking hoses, radiator or missing freeze plugs will be easy to spot.
If your radiator is full and there are no signs of leakage, we have to look elsewhere.
Check to see that you have all of your fan belts. A broken belt to your water pump will cause the car to overheat. If all the belts are there, check to see how tight they are. A loose belt on the water pump is no better than no belt at all.
If the radiator is full, there are no leaks and you have all your belts tight, then we need to look at other functions. Start the car and drive it around until it warms up. If it overheats within one mile of driving, most likely your thermostat has failed in the closed position, preventing water circulation. If it maintains normal temperature while moving, but overheats when sitting still at a stop light or in your driveway, there may be a problem with your cooling fan behind the radiator not functioning. If you have an electric fan, this could mean a bad fan motor, motor switch or temperature sensor. If you have a clutch fan driven by a fan belt, the fan clutch may not be functioning. This may take a mechanic to figure out if you are not that mechanically incline.
I hope this points you in the right direction. Please let us know what you find.
Chris the "K MANIAC"
1986 740 GLE
(5) 1964 Chrysler 300-K's
1986 740 GLE
(5) 1964 Chrysler 300-K's
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Kate
Hey...
What detail. Thank you so much!
I drove my car about 10 miles yesterday (halfway home) and it climbed to the red so I parked it. This afternoon I'll make a return visit to check out the details you pointed out. I'm new at this, but determined to learn as much as I can before turning it over to anyone.
Although it's reasonably close to home, I will probably use my AAA towing to move it to my mechanic's shop. I trust them, but would like to be really smart if I turn it over to them for the fix. Better yet, maybe I can go to a parts store and get them to install what I need.
I can't wait to find out. Surely it will be a reasonably inexpensive fix. Right?
I love this car...never wanting to let it go!
Thanks a million,
Kate
What detail. Thank you so much!
I drove my car about 10 miles yesterday (halfway home) and it climbed to the red so I parked it. This afternoon I'll make a return visit to check out the details you pointed out. I'm new at this, but determined to learn as much as I can before turning it over to anyone.
Although it's reasonably close to home, I will probably use my AAA towing to move it to my mechanic's shop. I trust them, but would like to be really smart if I turn it over to them for the fix. Better yet, maybe I can go to a parts store and get them to install what I need.
I can't wait to find out. Surely it will be a reasonably inexpensive fix. Right?
I love this car...never wanting to let it go!
Thanks a million,
Kate
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