The car: 1999 GSR

I put my new radiator in over the weekend. Everything seems to be fine however I am having trouble getting the motor to normal operating temperature. I know by looking at the gauge is not exactly the best way to tell you have a problem, but I know for a fact, the needle is not where it normally would be.

I followed all the direction in the Helms manual but I need to know some signs that would let me know something could be wrong.

A list of suspects and tale tell signs something is not right:
1. False reading on temperature gauge (lower than it should be)
2. After adding the proper amount, I never could get the fan(s) to come on by themseleves. Only by turning on the A/C would the fans turn on.

If someone could help me out, I would appreciate it a lot.

 

So what would really be the problem?
Is it a stock replacement or aftermarket raditor?

Try draining the coolant, and running it, just don't let it run to the red,
If you drive atleast 2miles it will warm up fast.

That would atleast tell you if the gauge works .. maybe not the best idea though lol

Maybe the new rad just has better cooling? How Much lower does the gauge read anyways?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FlatBlackTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So what would really be the problem?
Is it a stock replacement or aftermarket raditor?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Stock replacement

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe the new rad just has better cooling? How Much lower does the gauge read anyways?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wouldn't that be great. A stock Integra radiator with ultracooling. here is a picture of the gauge after driving on the highway:



Like I said, I know this is not anything definitive, but something is not right. It should be to the right a tad more. The right edge of the needle should cover those wavy lines on the left side of that graffic. Maybe it's because I haven't driven the car in over two weeks. Who knows.

As a matter of fact, I noticed this problem before I changed the radiator as the old one was leaking.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Gasparini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

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mine is lil bit higher. dry to drain and mix with 50/50.

 

mine runs that all day man - no issues for me..

 

That pic of the gauge Really isn't low, You should be fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nObOdy65 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mine runs that all day man - no issues for me..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok, does your radiator fan turn on without the assistance of the A/C? Mine doesn't.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DARSATT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mine is lil bit higher. dry to drain and mix with 50/50. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I did drain and mix with 50/50.

 

mine looks like that. It works fine too. I bought the premium thermostat from advance auto part. I should have gotten the regular replacement only

 

i just got an 00 ls teg, and my temp gauge will actually go back down to almost the "C" when cruising on the highway. any ideas?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Gasparini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ok, does your radiator fan turn on without the assistance of the A/C? Mine doesn't. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The drivers side fan is the A/C condenser fan and will only go on when the A/C is on. The passenger side fan should go on when it reaches normal operating temperature.

I don't really think you have a problem. Mine takes about 20 minutes to warm up fully in the morning and the needle hovers where yours does, so I think it is normal. I don't hear the fan much either. If it isn't overheating, don't worry about it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nObOdy65 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mine runs that all day man - no issues for me..</TD></TR></TABLE>
same... well first it was like past the H then I added the right amount of mix and its just like that

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Das Schmoo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The drivers side fan is the A/C condenser fan and will only go on when the A/C is on. The passenger side fan should go on when it reaches normal operating temperature.

I don't really think you have a problem. Mine takes about 20 minutes to warm up fully in the morning and the needle hovers where yours does, so I think it is normal. I don't hear the fan much either. If it isn't overheating, don't worry about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, I think I pour myself a tasty Dr. Pepper and fire up the car and wait outside until the fan turns on. If the car reaches normal operating temperature and the fan turns on, then I will be fine. If not, I may have to consider the thermostat.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Gasparini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
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that looks good to me...

 

You know you can run them without fans too right?

Unless you sit in one spot idle for like 20minutes, Once it has been fully warmed,
The fan probably won't come on otherwise, Or if you live in 100+ degree weather.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FlatBlackTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You know you can run them without fans too right?

Unless you sit in one spot idle for like 20minutes, Once it has been fully warmed,
The fan probably won't come on otherwise, Or if you live in 100+ degree weather.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's basically what I am saying. It's not warming to normal temperature therefore the fan will not switch on like it's suppose to. I have a feelng it may be the thermostat or the ECT... or both.

Thanks for the help.

 

Do me a favor- run your car hard for a good 10 min then go to your house or somewhere and just stop and let it sit while idling, leave ac and heat off and tell me if your fan goes on. or does the temperature gauge raise at all??

if mine sits for about 20 min it will start to use the fan.. give it a shot...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nObOdy65 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do me a favor- run your car hard for a good 10 min then go to your house or somewhere and just stop and let it sit while idling, leave ac and heat off and tell me if your fan goes on. or does the temperature gauge raise at all??

if mine sits for about 20 min it will start to use the fan.. give it a shot...</TD></TR></TABLE>

All is good. There was an air bubble in the coolant system, one that I couldn't get out prior. I also changed the thermostat for good measure. Thanks for the replies.