Help(excesive Heat)

[BeastVS]

I am getting excesive heat from my motor. The guage sometimes gets up just above half on the dial. It never use to do this. I checked it had no coolant so i put some in but this didnt help that much. Should i put it in for a service or is there a way to fix this myself.
Car=95 VS acclaim with about 110 thousand on the clock.

 

[hako]

Check under the waterpump for dried coolant - a white powdery deposit. Also eyeball all over the cooling system for leaks especially the heater vacuum tap. Your mileage is about right for the waterpump to fail - cost is anywhere from $70 to $250 for the pump and a hour or two of your time. Good Luck.

 

[BeastVS]

I have recently replaced the water pump, i think thats what it was my dad got it fixed for me so im not sure i would ask him but he is oversea's.

 

[Avi8or]

My VS's gauge goes up over half, but only when im standing still and the cooling fan hasn't come on. Does this happen while your driving or when your standing still?

 

[Harvs82]

Perfectly normal for the gauge to go up to half and beyond especially in the warmer weather, or sitting in traffic. Make sure you are running the proper mix of 50% concentrate and 50% water, I would recommend using the genuine GMH stuff, never had a problem with it. Might be a good idea to get the system flushed to remove any crap in there, and also check the radiator cap, make sure it is keeping the system pressurised.

 

[kopper69]

Theres a really good post in the how-to section i think on flushing the coolant on a VR/VS. The guide runs through a decent flush, and replaces alot of the little bits that can cause you trouble. All up the gear will cost about $80, but you do it yourself. It will make the cooling system run alot better, and is probably the cheapest place to start with the highest chance of fixing your problems. Good to do now before summer anyway.

 

[hako]

You mention that "I checked it had no coolant so I put some in but it didnt help that much"......does this mean that you need to top up the coolant regularly or what? Also eyeball the waterpump and if its shiny then its probably new.

 

[BeastVS]

Yeh i replaced the waterpump not long ago. And the coolant was empty so im guessing i have a leak somewhere. i have put the car in for a service today so hopefully it all gets fixed up.