newton

iTrader: (4)

Here's my situation, my coolant temp. gauge is broken and I haven't gotten around to fixing it. Today, after I filled up and started the car, the low coolant light came on (but it's not the first time it's came on). I checked the coolant reservoir dipstick, and there was plenty of coolant in there. I'm guessing it's just a bad sensor.

Driving home, I wasn't sure if my mind was playing tricks, but I thought the power felt a bit down. I thought that temps could have been rising. The car is still hot, so I'm not gonna open the radiator cap to check just yet. I was just wondering, what would be the signs of a overheating engine when you're driving and coolant temp. gauge is broken? I'm gonna be driving 500 miles tomorrow and for some reason this slightly concerns me.

swolbynos

ummm really?

you can either fix the guage, or just stick your finger in the radiator

I also would not be taking a possibly overheating car with a broken temp guage on a 500 mile trip...that has bad news written all over it.

meandmyls1

The low coolant sensor is in the radiator, not the reservoir. So you need to check whats in the radiator.
If it's running too hot it will be down on power and start to ping (aka detonation).
If it's over heating it will be making a bubbling noise.

newton

iTrader: (4)

The coolant sensor light is going and coming. I will open the cap in the morning for sure. How high should the coolant level be in the radiator? Right below the cap?

meandmyls1

Yes the coolant should be right below the cap. If it's low it might need to be run until the thermostat opens so you can get the air out while filling it.

02T/A-WS6

iTrader: (4)

If you have a laptop and autotap software or know somebody that does, it would be a good idea to have that in the car with you to check it periodically. That would give you all you need to know. Just a though

and yes coolant should be right below the cap

KENS_SS_4

buy a cheap after market gauge and hook it up!