Running Hot

[slinger5150]

I have a 99' Q45t. Within 2-3 minutes of starting it, the temp shoots up. Since there's no actual temp numbers, the needle shoots to straight up. It seems the fans are always running from that point on. The outside temp is probably 75-85 every day. Obviously its worse if the A/C is on due to added heat in the engine compartment, but it seems to be happening w/o the A/C on also. Is this normal for this car? I'm recently a new owner and unsure if they tend to run hot. Is my thermostat not opening soon enough?

[Q451990]

Your gauge should be exactly horizontal or at 3:00 at normal operating temperature. Anything above that means that your engine and transmission are being severely damaged!

Tell us about fluid levels, maintenence history, etc... At those temperatures - for it to shoot up that rapidly - I suspect you have a blockage, no coolant in the system, or a failed water pump.

EDIT: Just noticed that your's is a '99 - so I think all of the above still applies, except that I would think that your gauge may be even lower on the scale at normal operating temperature (based on the behavior of my truck and our newer G). Some of the owners of the 97-01 Q should chime in shortly.

Heath

[maxnix]

Is my thermostat not opening soon enough?

It definitely might be a candidate for replacement.

[elwesso]

definitely replace the Tstat..... Its only $10 and its easy to fix.

[Skibane]

Your gauge should be exactly horizontal or at 3:00 at normal operating temperature.

IME, on a warmed-up Y33, the normal gauge position is almost perfectly VERTICAL (or 12:00). Even in very hot weather, it will move only a barely-visible amount beyond this spot.

BTW, a bad thermostat does indeed sound like a strong possibility. From a cold start in summer weather, the engine takes just 2-3 minutes to warm up, which is when the thermostat would normally open.

[Q451990]

Could someone take a pitcure of the gauge for the 97-01 at normal operating temperature? Straight up may be what he's describing...

Heath

[slinger5150]

You might mean 12:00. If my gage went to 3:00 the motor would probably seize. My gage starts at 9:00 and goes to about 2 or 3.

[Q451990]

You might mean 12:00. If my gage went to 3:00 the motor would probably seize. My gage starts at 9:00 and goes to about 2 or 3.

The gauge is definately oriented differently on the 97-01... here's a pic I borrowed on eBay. Yes, I would say 12:00 on this type of gauge would be normal. No way to know for sure without hooking it up to a Consult to see the actual temperature.



Note the different orientation on the gauge on the G50 series Q... normal on this style is at 3:00.



Heath

[Skibane]

Yep, Heath nailed it - It's different on Y33s.

Here's an old photo of mine, engine warmed up to normal operating temperature: