i have noticed lately that my 97 se is running very hot. it used to run between 180-210. now it runs from 225-260.
i was wondering if it is just a bad t-stat? or maybe the gauge? if none of these what? i hope its not a coolant leak into the manifold.

Is your coolant level low?

What, if anything, has changed recently? Have you made and mods or repairs?

It could be several different things...

im gonna check it today
i did an air intake with a k&n and a rice pipe, but it has been several weeks since i first put it in. i just noticed this problem thie weekend.

wh\at do u think it could be?

Check your coolant level. If it'* low you need to determine why it'* dropping. You could have a leak in the system (is it wet under the car?). Or, you could have the common intake problem.

If you don't see any signs of coolant under the car and/or under the hood (leaking out) then check your dipstick for a milky substance in the oil. If it is milky, then drain the oil ASAP and further inspect for coolant in the oil. At that point you most likely have suffered an upper intake/lower intake gasket loss.

If there'* no milky substance in the oil, then pop off your thermostat housing and remove the thermostat. You can test the thermostat by heating it up in some water on the stove. If it opens just before the water boils (195 degrees) then your thermostat is cool. Contrary = bad thermostat.

When inspecting under the hood, carefully check the coolant by-pass elbow that goes between the belt tensioner and lower intake manifold. They're known for cracking.

i checked the coolant level and it was all gone. so i put some in and it is leaking
it i can see some liquid on the left side, under the belt. so........ i dont kno what to do.

Sounds like the water pump took a crap. I'm not an expert on replacing them.. never done it, so I'll wait for the smarter guys to chime in with what to do from here.


-justin

I changed the pump on my wifes '96 last year. I was much easier than I expected.