Mike in Chi

I'm running an '89 S2 in F stock this season. Have not had any overheating problems in three weekends with the car until yesterday during the Sprint race. Nothing during the warm-up and qualifier earlier, or during the one hour Enduro the day before. Both days were humid in the upper 80s. On the grid, the car was registering on the white mark at the bottom of the operating range (8 o'clock). I had a good start and was on the tail of the guy I'd been trying to catch all weekend. After a few laps I check the guage and it's pegged in the red with the light on. Backed way off, and it doesn't drop. I pulled in and took a DNF.

No broken hoses, nothing leaking. Fans were running.

My mechanic thinks a faulty thermostat or the headgasket is going. (No frothing appparent on the dipstick - oil looks uncontaminated)

Anyone experience something similar, or any ideas?
TIA

Jamie944

I would have to put my money on a thermostat that has stuck shut. When was the last time it was changed. If you don't know then now is a great time to do it.

Jamie944

Awe! finally in to triple digit posts! Now on to 1,000

sybelix

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Jamie944:
<strong>Awe! finally in to triple digit posts! Now on to 1,000</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">heh, keep on posting..

<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

M758

Waterpump or thermostat.

I have seen a perfectly good waterpump not work since the Timing belt was slipping causing it not to turn. A simple tightening of the belt (to normal levels) took car of that.

Peckster

How did the engine sound?

ERAU-944

i'm with M758. the parts car i had had a gone thermostat, car just kept heating, but again it could be the timing belt. when our 83 had a loose timing belt, i heard it smacking on the belt cover, too tight, and it whines. i hope for your sake its the thermostat. take it out and test it in a pan of water on the stove, they open slowly. also, they're the cheaper fix, so go ahead and get it checked out first... on to the expensive stuff later.
-Michael-

Mike in Chi

Jamie, M758 and Peckster

Thanks very much for the replies. I appreciate the leads. I don't know when the thermostat was replaced, if ever. I got tyhe car in the spring. I have some receipts, but not all. I figure I will replace it no matter what.

The timing belt was recently replaced.

The other belts appeared taut. I'll check them further.

The engine sounded fine and was making power.

I try to check the gauges every lap, though the starts do tend to hold your attention for a few laps.

I'll have the waterpump checked.

thanks for the help.

Z-man

Mike:
I had that happen with my S2 at a DE at Watkins Glen: coming into the Bus Stop, my Temp guage went into red, and my "!" Red warning light lit up! Talk about a scary thing!

The culprit was my H2O pump: the impeller had spun off the base and was not circulating any fluid through the system. A friend of mine pressure tested the system, and we found no leaks.

Fortunately, it was a cool Oct. night, and I actually drove the 5 hours home without an H2O pump: it only over-heated once, and after pressure testing it again, we dropped it off at my mechanics.

Even without an H2O pump, there's something called: thermo-circulation: hot fluid rises, cold fluid falls, and your fluid is moving around, but not as much as with a water pump!

Good luck,
-Z.

Mike in Chi

Thanks very much Z-man. That could indeed be the culprit. It might very well be the original - I don't have all records - I'll get it checked out.

Someday I'd like to get out to the Glen. If and when, I'll look you up.

Mike

Z-man

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Mike in Chi:
<strong>Thanks very much Z-man. That could indeed be the culprit. It might very well be the original - I don't have all records - I'll get it checked out.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Make sure that they install the upgraded H2O pump with a metal impeller unit. Unlike the original plastic (?) units, they won't spin off their rod!
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Mike again:
<strong>Someday I'd like to get out to the Glen. If and when, I'll look you up.

Mike</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Hope to see you at Gingerman someday too!

-Z.

Z-man

D'oh! Double post! ACK!

So, why did the turtle cross the road?!?

To get to the Shell station!

Mike in Chi

Very funny

Wanna team sticker and membership in HWFMR?

PM me your home address.

Douglas_T

Yep, sounds like Thermostat or H20 pump related...Gingerman is a cool course! & South Haven is great for the Blueberry fest!

Z-man

Mike: PM with addy sent.

Hmm: Gingerman has just moved up a couple of notches on my "List of tracks I wish to visit & drive on!"

Mmmmm..... Blueberries.....

-Z.