Hello,

Last week, the car's fan began to stay on after shut-down. It never did that before.

On the way to an event Saturday night (of course...never on the way to the hardware store) the car's temp gauge went into the red light zone.

As we had to get to the event (I am a board member) I stopped and re-filled the reservoir (thought I had the orange stuff...but it was the green stuff...I now have to get a flush). We got there with the temp varying.

It would be then rise then fall. I correlated that higher speeds would increase and putting the heat on full blast would decrease it to normal.

Is this a water pump issue? I never got the warning of "coolant low" prior to all this happening.

Thanks in advance.

 

Acts like a sticking thermostat perhaps. Could be a failing water pump, too.

Be careful, the aluminium engine is very sensitive to overheating. While you're at it, you might consider replacing the upper and lower radiator hoses and the short connecting hose as well.

Not a major problem if you tend to it right away.

Lots of "how to" advice here on the forum!

 

+1

Sticking thermostat would be No1 on my list of suspects.

Graham

 

Just changed mine, along with the water pump and the plastic coolant transfer pipe.I wasn't having any problems that I was aware of but when I checked the new stat v. the old one in a pan of water it was slower to open and with the new one fitted my fans don't run as much(even in the Florida heat!) Got the new stat from Autozone and had the choice of one that, if it fails, it fails open - seems like a worthwhile mornings work to me :0)

 

Your Thermostat has Failed. Replace it Immediately!

 

And do not drive the car again until you do!

 

Just a heads up, the thermostat may be the first stop ... but it might also not be the last stop. It is the cheapest and easiest first line of investigation though.

 

Thermostat, replaced mine a month ago when my aux. fan started going on soon after start up no matter how cool it was outside. Car would start to get hot in traffic and cool off after starting to move. Replaced thermostat, everything returned to normal.

 

My indy mechanic changed out the thermostat. FIXED!!

Thank you!