Problems with the Thermostat?

[misdirection101]

Recently the temp gauge on my car starts to go above normal (75%-or higher). Everytime I pull over to check it out, the engine and coolant temp always feels normal. I jump back into the car and the guage is back down to normal. This has started to happen more and more frequently. Also just the other day, the gauge shot up all the way and gave me a check powertrain warning and I haven't driven it since then. I have done abit of research myself and from what I can tell, it's more than likely the thermostat, but I'm not sure what the checkpower train warning has come from. Possibly related to faulty thermo?

 

[impulsesv6]

replaced my thermo recently...
overflow bottle was constantly full and was constantly topping up the engine with coolant, but guage stayed on the 3rd line max... even with the charger

 

[Benboy]

Could be one of many causes. Take your car to a Cooling Specialist and have them pressure test your system. Only reliable way to identify if you have an overheating problem.

 

[misdirection101]

Got my thermostat replaced and still having the same problem, worse though I think, gauge goes up and down constantly

 

[impulsive]

check the cap for damage.. had to replace mine after it sent the car soaring hot

 

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Could be a faulty temp sensor. Would explain why the check powertrain light came on.

 

[IBLOWN]

Also check the thermo and A/C fan. If the thermo fan cuts in too late or is not swithcing to high speed it will do that.

If the A/C fan doesnt work (or not full speed) it will also do that when the A/C is on.

 

[slickrick]

Make sure that the thermostat was a genuine Holden item. Have fitted aftermarket ones and have had no end of trouble

 

[2005vzute]

seriously mate, replace your radiator cap, they're like 12 bux genuine or something, thats what i paid anyway...from working at holden it was extremely common to have te radiator caps buggered in them, deadset, they should just classify them as a wear and tear item like tyres koz they're that common...the cap is responsible for holding the pressure and allowing coolant to go into the overflow at the right time...if the cap isn't opening koz its buggered you could be putting alot of pressure in the cooling system and keeping very hot coolant in the system.

if this doesn't fix it and it does it again, have the car turned off, press mode and set at the same time, turn the car on...scroll through the menu using the mode button untill it gets to the coolant one..just check if how hot it is and come back with a reply and see if everyone else thinks it's too hot for the engine..i think it's normal to get up to about 105 on a normal drive...oh, and don't get scared when everything lights up and is set to half way.

cheers mate

 

[misdirection101]

yeah got it pressure tested couple weeks ago, turns out the cap needed replacing, but still having gauge problems. had my local holden dealers have a good look at it as well. they were stumped. the mechanic took it for a spin with the computer plugged into it, and he saw exactly what I was talking about. the coolant temp would stay at normal 100-105, but then would get really hot 124-126. they said either the temp sensor is faulty, or the thermostat that I got replaced is dodgy. so i'm getting the temp sensor replaced and hopefully that solves it... but i will keep you posted