Re: Cooling system/gauge questions... (archive)

I have an 02 that I am in the process of trying to get back on the road. After idling the motor this weekend for a short time (maybe 1 to 1.5 minutes)I notice that the temp gauge in the instrument cluster shot up in the red zone very quickly. No gradual climb out of the blue, it all of the sudden pegged the top of the gauge. The PO had installed an AutoMeter water temp gauge in a pod and I did notice a more gradual climb to about 150 degrees and then to 180 after a couple of more minutes where it remained. Of course, I don't know if there is a calibration issue with the secondary gauge. I just replaced the radiator and refilled the system, BTW, and I did have a thought that there might possibly be air in the system based on a post last week. Another point is that I don't know a great deal about the history of this car so I am not sure if it was reading this way before. My questions are: Any there any indications that it is overheating (this is my primary concern)? Any thoughts on what may be causing the instrument cluster gauge to peg so suddenly after starting the motor? (I did clean the ground strap, but not the ground on the instrument cluster yet, thinking it might be a grounding problem...hmmmm...) For those of you with gauges, what water temps are you seeing? Is 150-180 in the "desired" range?
Phew...get all of that? :-)
Thanks, Jason

I had the same problem, here is what I did. First
put the car up on ramps to get the nose of the car up, then replaced the thermostat.filled the rad to the top, ran the car with cap off to get the air out of system and watched the temp carefully. after the run up, fill the rad the rest of the way. Be sure to open the heater to heat to circulate water to all the system and release trapped air.
HTH
Reg

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