3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

overheating problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-30-07 | 11:57 PM
  #1  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
overheating problems

what could be some of the reasons he car overheats?
it overheated once and the coolant spilled out..so i did a radiator flush and took the thermostat out completely and it overheated in a couple of weeks again
anyone got any help?
Old 05-31-07 | 02:51 AM
  #2  
scotty305's Avatar
~17 MPG
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 258
From: Bend, OR
Put your thermostat back in, or replace it with a new OEM thermostat. For more info, see this thread, especially posts #94-95 regarding thermostat removal.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/big-fat-fd3s-cooling-thread-571088/

-s-
Old 05-31-07 | 04:54 PM
  #3  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
so you think with the new thermostat and if i buy new radiator caps it shouldnt overheat?
Old 05-31-07 | 04:59 PM
  #4  
Mahjik's Avatar
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 27,595
Likes: 43
From: Kansas City, MO
Are you sure the waterpump is working properly? The belt isn't slipping and the belt is turning the waterpump in the proper direction?
Old 05-31-07 | 05:14 PM
  #5  
AWD-RWD racer's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
a few things.

*rad caps (ast as well)
*not full with fluid (or not burped properly)
*waterpump
*thermostat


********FANS WORKING PROPERLY?
that is what my problem was.
Old 05-31-07 | 05:58 PM
  #6  
badddrx7's Avatar
All Spooled Up
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 3
From: Ironton,ohio
One more thing...The Radiator. Your radiator might be plugged somewhat. If you want to cure overheating for good, go to a N-flow upgrade. Larger and more cooling capacity.

Lots of things affect cooling capacity but you have to have a good radiator as your foundation.
Old 05-31-07 | 07:17 PM
  #7  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
i already have an upgraded radiator...ill try to see if it is clogged
Old 06-01-07 | 12:19 AM
  #8  
scotty305's Avatar
~17 MPG
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 258
From: Bend, OR
Start by replacing your Thermostat. Without it, hot coolant is BYPASSING your upgraded radiator, and it's even worse than if you were using an OEM radiator. From there, replace both pressure caps. It might be a good idea to flush & refill the coolant as well.

-s-
Old 06-01-07 | 04:08 AM
  #9  
Oun's Avatar
Oun
I can confirm.
Veteran: Army
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
and with all those things, a vented hood will help out alot also right?
Old 06-01-07 | 04:28 AM
  #10  
clayne's Avatar
PV = nRT

 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand (was California)
No.
Old 06-16-07 | 01:31 PM
  #11  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
the car is still overheating..the guage is about 3/4 up and i replaced the thermostat and both caps..did a radiator flush and still its overheating and the fans work also..i have no idea whats wrong can anyone help?
Old 06-16-07 | 01:44 PM
  #12  
yuichiror's Avatar
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,506
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, Va
Originally Posted by Mahjik
Are you sure the waterpump is working properly? The belt isn't slipping and the belt is turning the waterpump in the proper direction?
Did you check the water pump like Mahjik suggested?
Did you test the old thermostat to see if it was broken?
Did you insert the new thermostat so the jiggle pin was at 12 o'clock?

Oh yeah, when you drain coolant from the engine, don't forget the bolt on the driver's side of the engine to drain the block.
Old 06-16-07 | 03:08 PM
  #13  
CantGoStraight's Avatar
What's your point ?
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Fla.
Originally Posted by Rx7Ryder28
the car is still overheating..the guage is about 3/4 up and i replaced the thermostat and both caps..did a radiator flush and still its overheating and the fans work also..i have no idea whats wrong can anyone help?
You never mentioned if the fans were working on the car. Without them the circulation isn't enough to keep the car cool. Removing the thermostat doesn't cause the coolant to bypass your radiator, it just doesn't get enough restriction to regulate the coolant flow through the system.
Old 06-16-07 | 03:47 PM
  #14  
yuichiror's Avatar
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,506
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, Va
Doesn't he say the fans are working in the quote in your post?
Old 06-18-07 | 07:27 AM
  #15  
CantGoStraight's Avatar
What's your point ?
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Fla.
Originally Posted by yuichiror
Doesn't he say the fans are working in the quote in your post?
Yep, I wasn't quick enough to edit it before I saw it.......I should learn to read.
Old 06-18-07 | 07:29 PM
  #16  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
it overheats everytime i drive it now...like ill drive it normally!!! for about 20 min and then boom the guage goes up...about 3/4 up..and yes my waterpump works

i think my engine is about to go out huh guys?
Old 06-18-07 | 08:22 PM
  #17  
MADDSLOW's Avatar
17 second FD
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 1
From: Poughkeepsie, New York
Mine had similiar symptoms. Does your system leak at all? Is there ever any water/coolant on the ground if you idle for a little while? Mine ended up being a bad waterpump.
Old 06-18-07 | 11:05 PM
  #18  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
there was 3 times and the recent one was about 3 weeks ago and i changed all the above except the water pump. now it doesnt leak, but i could smell coolant when i drive it.
Old 06-18-07 | 11:20 PM
  #19  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,097
Likes: 922
From: Mid-west
Originally Posted by CantGoStraight
......Removing the thermostat doesn't cause the coolant to bypass your radiator, it just doesn't get enough restriction to regulate the coolant flow through the system.
IIRC, there is a passage for some coolant to bypass the radiator and return directly to the engine to accelerate warm up. Removing the T-stat allows coolant to flow through the bypass all the time.

Rx7Ryder28.....

How hot is it getting?
Where are you sourcing the temp readings?
You indicated that it overflowed. Have you done a pressure test?
What is your coolant to water ratio?
Are ALL your fan speeds working and are you sure BOTH fans are coming on?
http://www.fd3s.net/fan_test.html
Maybe a silly question, but you have a belly-pan in place, correct?
Old 06-19-07 | 10:02 PM
  #20  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
that is the temp on the picture that it always goes up to..it does that everytime i drive for about 20 min...but if i keep driving the temp will go down to normal....my sourcing is from the oem guage because the one i had aftermarket was broken when i got it....but i could tell its overheating because the coolant bubbles...i havent done a pressure test..how do you do it?...my ratio is 50/50 since i live in chiago...and both fans do come on....and what is a belly pan???

Originally Posted by Sgtblue
IIRC, there is a passage for some coolant to bypass the radiator and return directly to the engine to accelerate warm up. Removing the T-stat allows coolant to flow through the bypass all the time.

Rx7Ryder28.....

How hot is it getting?
Where are you sourcing the temp readings?
You indicated that it overflowed. Have you done a pressure test?
What is your coolant to water ratio?
Are ALL your fan speeds working and are you sure BOTH fans are coming on?
http://www.fd3s.net/fan_test.html
Maybe a silly question, but you have a belly-pan in place, correct?
Attached Thumbnails overheating problems-photo_0131.jpg  
Old 06-19-07 | 10:03 PM
  #21  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
the key is in the second position and the car is not started just...so the coolant light is not on neither the check engine when the car is running
Old 06-20-07 | 12:02 AM
  #22  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,097
Likes: 922
From: Mid-west
Originally Posted by Rx7Ryder28
that is the temp on the picture that it always goes up to..it does that everytime i drive for about 20 min...but if i keep driving the temp will go down to normal....my sourcing is from the oem guage because the one i had aftermarket was broken when i got it....but i could tell its overheating because the coolant bubbles...i havent done a pressure test..how do you do it?...my ratio is 50/50 since i live in chiago...and both fans do come on....and what is a belly pan???
The stock gauge is not linear, but I agree that from what's indicated in your picture, your car is running hot. There may have already been damage. Coolant bubbling is not always a sign that something is terribly wrong, but in your case, I might suspect a bad coolant seal. Read up on what those are and what the symptoms are when they fail. This will get your started, but a search here on the forum will be productive too. http://www.fd3s.net/o-ring_failure.html
Pressure testing the cooling system is pretty easy, but you need some knowledge and equipment. If you don't have the ability, there is a couple of Rotary specialty shops in your area I would consider calling:
http://www.a-spectuning.com/
http://www.banzai-racing.com/
The belly pan is the large plastic undertray that runs from the beneath the front bumper back to the engine cross-member. It forces the air entering through your bumper opening up and through the radiator. I asked because without it, cars will tend to run hot.
Old 06-20-07 | 03:28 PM
  #23  
Rx7Ryder28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rx-7

 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
yea then i got a belly pan..but when i had the radiator cap off and i gave the car some gas it wasnt pulling the coolant in like it shud. it just did it a little..should it pull the coolant alot?
Old 06-20-07 | 03:33 PM
  #24  
TRWeiss1's Avatar
LSx 7.0L

iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
From: Binghamton, NY
I'm surprised no one mentioned that you should stop driving the car if it's overheating! IIRC, the stock temperature gauge won't begin to move outside the normal range until 240 degrees, which is way too hot! If I were you, I'd stop driving it until you resolve this problem.

Also, judging by your picture, you need to add coolant. The alarm is located underneath the filler neck by the T-stat, and that's where you should add it. Lastly, it should be pulling coolant back in from the overflow once it's cooled down, but it won't if you have a leak in that line (or it's not air tight). Check the line/couplers going from your overflow to the AST and make sure it's not leaking or cracked. Best of luck!

By the way, it wouldn't hurt to give this a read. => https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...nt+temperature

I don't believe it was posted yet, but I apologize if it was.

Last edited by TRWeiss1; 06-20-07 at 03:38 PM.
Old 06-20-07 | 08:05 PM
  #25  
DrunkenBowler's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: STL Area
Coolant seals could be cooked at this point. I think once the stock gauge has indicated an overheating problem, then it's too late

You can pull the plugs out and see if there's coolant in the motor. If so, uh oh! It's time for a new motor.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 AM.