simple running temp question

[rva240]

I've got a '96 s14. The other day I was driving on the highway and my car overheated. Pulled over. My upper radiator hose came off. People brought me coolant, I filled up, and got back on the road. Now my car won't reach the same operating temp that it used to. Any idea why?

[Razi]

Is it running cold now?

[rva240]

Yeah it's running cold

[RiverCitySX]

You may want to pop your t-stat out. I've seen the wax pellet that opens it explode after over heating then it can stick open.
possibly an air pocket in the cooling system

[biggie]

Should have replaced the thermostat, anytime you drain the coolant. But new coolant could be keeping it slightly cooler as well.

What was it at before and what's it at now?

[rva240]

Yeah I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to replace the thermostat, I haven't done that in a while, actually. I always thought that air pockets would cause it to run hot though.

The temp gauge before would be right about halfway up, which I thought was the normal running temp, and now it hardly gets above the "C." I'd like to get it back to 'normal' because my heat doesn't blow nearly as hot, and it's getting pretty cold outside.

[Razi]

It's possible that the thermostat is stuck open, or it's damaged and just letting all the coolant through and not letting the engine warm up.
I'd take the thermostat out and check on it.

[RiverCitySX]

I've seen both hotter and colder temp readings with air pockets. Check your t-stat, you may also want
to check the temp sender (single wire) to make sure its not bad. More than likely thermostat issue.

[Jmoore124]

The above post is correct. You can get cool or hot readings with air pockets in the system. Go through a bleeding procedure and if that doesn't work then replace the thermostat

[OM3GA]

Make sure to bleed the hell out of it. Using one of those spill free funnel kits is the best way.

[liquid_cool]

when you overheat , you are allso overheating the temp sensitive spring on your thermostat..replace it..but before you add a new one,drill a small hole just smaller than a 1/4 inch and make shure that lines up with the top when you put it in..thats a pesky area to bleed out and the hole will help promote proper bleading of the air from the system.

[RiverCitySX]

Jmoore, i'm apparently not able to send messages yet, lol.
I'm in richmond va
KA-t w/ eagle rods, BC pistons cometic head gasket and ARP head studs
Turbo exhaust and intercooler are all ISIS
RS enthalpy tune
currently pushing 16psi