Overheated... but weird stuff going on. - Hyundai Performance Forums

BigZach · 05-27-2006, 05:12 AM

I noticed for the last few days that my fan was always on, but the temperature gauge was ok, where it always sits(AC not on). But tonight on my 5 mile drive home from work my temp gauge shoots up almost all the way as I'm pulling in to my neighborhood. I turned the heat on and it goes down right away.

Is it possible that the temp gauge is BS, like one of those "static" gauges to keep you from freaking out when it goes above halfway? Should I just change the thermostat and forget it?

I had my oil changed a few months ago and they asked me if my coolant was just flushed because it was so clean. I've never had it flushed and I have 74000 miles. So I'm not worried about the radiator being clogged.

OH....and I took out my CAI last year and put the stock airbox and heatshield back in, and I noticed last week that the heat shield was out of it's little slot and was pressing on a wire coming out of the thermostat housing...maybe a temp sending unit? My fans were on a lot after fixing that... But I think it's just the thermostat.

[Edited by BigZach on May 27, 2006 1:14 AM]

meee2yo · 05-27-2006, 05:14 PM

It's not a static gauge. I replaced mine with a 160 instead of a 180 or 195 and it's sits in the 1/4 heat range instead of in the middle.

yeah, sounds like a thermo, had to replace mine at 75xxx

BigZach · 05-27-2006, 08:18 PM

I changed the thermostat today and all is good. Only trouble I had was with the radiator drain, I didn't have a proper tool. And I just tightened the nuts like a quarter turn after they made contact, I didn't want to crack the housing.
I only drained out about a gallon of coolant so I could do it fast. But I filled it back up the old school way...ran the car and filled the radiator and waited for it to heat up and fill it back up again. But the level never really dropped to far in the radiator, so I just filled the resivoir, hopefully it's ok, I'll check it in the morning.

The thermostat and gasket was only $17 at Gartner Hyundai. Not bad.

WytchDctr · 05-27-2006, 09:42 PM

what year hyundai do you have.. mines static. It just tells you if your in a "normal range"

meee2yo · 05-29-2006, 12:09 AM

I have the 2001 and it's not static (1.5L)

BigZach · 05-29-2006, 02:01 PM

I have an 02 elantra. Maybe it's an xd/gk thing.

Jed118 · 05-31-2006, 02:08 AM

Just take the thermostat out completely. Mine's been out for 5 years. Just be sure to replace it in the winter or you'll never get heat, if you do drive it in the winter.

BigZach · 05-31-2006, 02:25 AM

I would think that a modern fuel injected engine would run like ass without getting up to operating temperature. Besides, the fans NEVER turn on, except for the AC fan. I don't think that these things run that hot.

imcastock · 06-02-2006, 12:17 AM

Not only will the engine not come up to operating temp with the thermostat out,but it can also over heat.. Because the coolant doesn't even slow down in the radiator to remove the heat. Don't remove the thermostat..

Jed118 · 06-02-2006, 12:08 PM

Slow down? The system is rated for about 10-12 PSI on most systems. Removing the thermostat is not going to signigicantly affect flow. It's not like it's gonna rush fluid through it! Hah if the removal of the thermostat is going to cause coolant to not flow properly through tiny cores that are primarily gravity fed, then you'd better worry about hose clamps not holding up to the pressure, or the waterpump weep hole failing.

Overheat?!? :dead:

I do not overheat without a thermostat and my car runs fine. All that's going to happen is it will take longer to warm up, which is exactly what I want it to do.