2002 Overheating & Coolant System Analysis

["Steve D'Gerolamo" <steved3@xxxxxxx>]

Subject: 2002 Tii Overheating??

Has anyone out there had any experience with temp gauges misreading ??? 
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		First check your grounds....the battery cable pigtail should be
sufficiently grounded to your chassis (many 2002's are missing this
completely) and run a 12 or 14 gauge redundant ground from one of the lug
studs holding your temp gauge in the cluster.  Bad grounds in these cars
are noticable via deflections in the temp gauge with the changes in
(electrical) system load.
		Second....bleed the air out of the coolant system.  As there is no
bleeder on these M10 motors, elevate the front of the car (eg, on a set of
ramps), open the heater valve and with the car running, carefully remove
the radiator cap (before the system has built pressure).  Squeeze the upper
radiator hose with the car running to force any air pockets out via the cap
opening  I do this again after the thermostat has opened but have a rag
handy to prevent burning yourself. 

	While I'm working on the system, I use a coolant system analyzer (ABW) to
pressurize the system and check for hose and water pump leaks (much easier
to look around than with the engine running and fan spinning), examine the
coolant system & thermostat operating temperatures (in degrees, vs the
gauge in the car and vs the temp number stamped on your thermostat),  and
check (if applicable) to see what temp the aux fan switch cuts in.  SD
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Steve D'Gerolamo - The Ultimate Garage
201-262-0412 / steved3@domain.elided / http://www.ultimategarage.com

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