I recently had to replace a blown head gasket on my '97 Bonne SSE. It'* run pretty well for about a week until yesterday the "check engine" light came on while I was driving in hills with the AC on. I gave a cursory check of things and the only thing I can see is the temperature fluctuates a lot. It will go from below 200F to past 240F in only a minute or so, depending on engine load. The light is on from the moment I start the car. It hasn't gone off since I first noticed it.

I checked some other forums and checked for air in the coolant system. As best I can tell, there doesn't seem to be air in the system.

I can't get it to my mechanic for a couple days. My inclination is to suspect a faulty thermostat, but I'm not an expert. Any thoughts? :?:

There is still air in your system, its just hard to get out because its in pockets of the engine. Only way to get it out is with a flush that will pressurize the system, and you can only do that with a flushing machine at the mechanic or dealer. Besides the air pockets, fluctuation in the coolant temperature can also be caused by really old or poor ratioed coolant.. A flush will definately fix that problem. My car behaved the same way until I did the flush.

ALso if you haven't already, buy a 180 degree thermostat, drill two bypass holes about 1/16 inch in size and also get a gasket and o-ring and have your mechanic install it while he does the flush. The stock 195 thermostat'* are too high. The 180 will run the engine just a bit cooler, it will prevent problems that are associated with heat and will also make your car slightly more efficient. Once you do all of that you will be peachy and hopefully the check engine light will go away, but just in case check it out anyway.

I agree with Boreas that it is likely that air pockets in the engine are causing the fluctuation you see on the gauge. The other possibility is that you need a new thermostat. Because it is cheap and easy, I would buy a new stat and drill it. I can't confirm that flushing removes all air, but I have found that following this rather complicated fill procedure gives good results in minimizing or eliminating trapped air in the Series II engines.

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This method was developed by trial and error and has been found to be effective to minimize the possibility of trapping air pockets in the L36 3800 engine cooling system. Trapped air could allow for increased temperatures around the hot EGR passage in the plastic upper intake manifold, leading to failure of the manifold, internal coolant leaks, and severe engine damage.

When refilling the engine and radiator with coolant after repair work, remove the radiator cap, then remove the thermostat and drill a small (1/16" - 3/32") bleed hole in the thermostat flange. Check the brass bleeder on the upper radiator hose fitting to make sure it can be opened and closed easily. With the thermostat out, begin filling the engine with coolant at the thermostat housing until the coolant reaches the lip where the thermostat seals. Do not install the thermostat or the upper hose yet. Fill the radiator slowly at the cap opening with coolant. You should see and hear air bubbles disturbing the surface of the coolant in the intake manifold at the thermostat housing as they are pushed up and out of the engine. The coolant level will eventually start to rise in the manifold as the coolant in the radiator gets high enough. Install the drilled thermostat, positioning the bleed hole at the 12 O'Clock position. With the thermostat and upper radiator hose installed, pour additional coolant into the radiator slowly, until it rises to the overflow hole in the radiator neck several times. Allow several minutes each time for the top hose to fill and for air to bleed past the small hole in the thermostat flange. Repeat slowly filling at the radiator until the level in the radiator remains steady for five minutes. Fill the overflow tank two or three inches above the "full hot" mark.

Start the engine and bring it to operating temperature. If possible, take the car for a drive. You will be able to tell when the thermostat opens when the top radiator hose gets hot. With the engine at temperature and idling, open and close the bleeder screw to expel any air. Even if only coolant is expelled when the bleeder is opened, wait a minute or two and try to bleed it a couple more times. Shut off the engine. If the cooling system has no leaks, the level of coolant in the recovery tank will drop as the system pulls in coolant to make up for displaced air and thermal contraction. Bring the level in the recovery tank back up to "full cold" if needed and observe the level daily until it stabilizes.
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