how low is too low?
11-09-2007, 01:56 AM
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how low is too low?
I was coming home in my 84 s, and the temp rose up to just below the line below the red on the temp gauge (not the red, but a whole section below it.) at that point, my temp light went on in the gauge.
I was able to get moving and it went right off, but the needle stayed kinda high. when I got home, i let it sit 45 minutes, then took it out for about a half mile run to a friends house. The needle rose much faster than normal, I parked and it sat for about two hours. When I drove home, it got up a bit higher than normal (in that half mile) so I checked the fluid level, and it was a bit low, took about three quarts. I then drove around and it stayed in the normal range.
I now have a couple of questions for the combined wisdom here.
1) is the temp sensor for the guage and the light the same sensor? and if so shouldn't the guage get up to the red before the light goes off?
2) is less than a gallon low enough to cause cooling problems with this car?
Thanks for any insights!
Paul
I was able to get moving and it went right off, but the needle stayed kinda high. when I got home, i let it sit 45 minutes, then took it out for about a half mile run to a friends house. The needle rose much faster than normal, I parked and it sat for about two hours. When I drove home, it got up a bit higher than normal (in that half mile) so I checked the fluid level, and it was a bit low, took about three quarts. I then drove around and it stayed in the normal range.
I now have a couple of questions for the combined wisdom here.
1) is the temp sensor for the guage and the light the same sensor? and if so shouldn't the guage get up to the red before the light goes off?
2) is less than a gallon low enough to cause cooling problems with this car?
Thanks for any insights!
Paul
11-09-2007, 03:16 AM
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Do you know why you were low on coolant?
Last edited by Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net; 11-09-2007 at 04:12 AM.
11-09-2007, 10:28 AM
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No, I don't know where the coolant went at this time. The car sat for the last three years, waiting for me to get around to dealing with torque converter & driveline bearings, so I have been running it the last week or so trying to drive the bugs out, and see what needs attention. So far, this is the only thing that has popped up. (well, plus door handle, hatch struts, other non critical items.)
11-09-2007, 10:57 AM
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Just a thought, did you notice any smells of antifreeze or any sightings of it on or around radiator. Maybe leaked out during period of non-use. Check radiator seals if you have the original type raditaor. Maybe seals decayed and leaked. Pressure test will help see any leaks. I replaced mine with a one piece unit and i am glad I did. Eliminated a poor design by that change.