Temperature Gauge Reading? Where does yours read?

1993 2.2L I4.

When fully warmed up and going down the highway, the teamperature gauge is just below the 1/4 mark.

When idling and standing still, the temp will slowly climb to above 1/2 and then the fan will kick on and drop the temp to between 1/4 and 1/2.

Is the thermostat ok?

1993 2.2L I4.

When fully warmed up and going down the highway, the teamperature gauge is just below the 1/4 mark.

When idling and standing still, the temp will slowly climb to above 1/2 and then the fan will kick on and drop the temp to between 1/4 and 1/2.

Is the thermostat ok?

You can always test it in a pan on the stove, but i'd say so! Mine sits almost constant 1/2 way!

Yeah, g/f's ride runs 1/4 to 1/2 mark, fan usually kicks at 1/2 way, 1/4 about right for cool weather running, but should hover around 1/2 in summer riding.

In other words, your therm. is just fine.

Winter time.. 1/4 - 1/2 way.. summer time 1/2 usually and when at a stand still 1/2-3/4 till the fan kicks on and drops is back down to 1/2.

That's normal, my 92 runs the same.

The first line is 100F, the second (1/4) is 140F, third (1/2) is 180F, the fourth (3/4) is 220F! and the last is 260F, by then the head is warped and the gasket shot.

If it EVER goes above 1/2 almost to 3/4 watch it carefully, it could/will overheat and blow the head gasket in no time if it passes 3/4.

I was going home two days ago and after 15 min. on the highway (85-90mph) I noticed the gauge was at 210, so I went ahead and put 'er in nuetral, not three seconds later it hit 220, the light came on and I immediatley shut it off, still going 90. Poped the hood and the water in the reservior was bubling. I let it sit for a few and cranked it and it was back down to 200 and fell down to 180. Strange, it's been fine since. I'm sure that if I waited a few more seconds it wouldn't be running fine now. Seems like once they pass 210 the cooling system can't get it back down.

I have no idea why it got hot like that, except maybe the radiator needs to be cleaned. Should a radiator feel the same temp all the way accross? Cause at the time it was cold except one corner was a little warm. Any ideas?

Ok, I was just wondering because when I am travelling down the highway all year round, the gauge will only be ever so slightly above the 1/4 mark on the temp gauge.

I thought it should be higher than that and constantly be closer to the 1/2 mark if the thermostat is working properly.

I have no idea why it got hot like that, except maybe the radiator needs to be cleaned. Should a radiator feel the same temp all the way accross? Cause at the time it was cold except one corner was a little warm. Any ideas?


I'm gonna say you need to flush your radiator. Buy coolant flushing stuff (http://www.prestone.com/products/19.htm) to remove any build-ups, obstructions, rust deposits ect.

It's either that or your coolant system is not pressurizing like it should, which can be caused by many things like a leaky hose or pump. Chances are the problem will come back though.

Yea, a leaking rad cap could cuse that.

What about a bubbling noise I hear when I start the car, I only hear the first time I MOVE the car, then it's gone. I don't think my rad cap is leaking, since when it got hot the reservior was full, normally it's about 1/3 full.

What about a bubbling noise I hear when I start the car, I only hear the first time I MOVE the car, then it's gone. I don't think my rad cap is leaking, since when it got hot the reservior was full, normally it's about 1/3 full.

Yes, bubbling is usually from a bad cap and the cap is not sealing properly thus sucking in air into the rad when cooling instead of sucking in coolant from the overflow resevoir.

You have air in your system and having a properly sealing rad cap will allow the system to purge itself of the air. Be prepared to fill the overflow resevoir a couple times as the air is purged and replaced with coolant.

I recommend using some not AC Delco. Stant are excellent.