Engine overheated - what now?
#1
Engine overheated - what now?
Went to lunch today and sat in the drive-thru line for +-5 mins. I had the a/c running but wasn't really paying attention to my engine temp because well i didn't think i had to. I smelled the unmistakable smell of coolant burning, looked at my pinged guage and immediately shut off my engine. Pushed my car into a parking spot and nervously ate my lunch. My tank boiled over and dropped maybe a quart of fluid out of the overflow. 15 mins later i turned on the key and the temp was at about 3/4 so i thought i would get it back on the highway for some airflow (and to get to a place where i could work on it). Temp was fine. Pulled into my garage and let it idle while i looked under the hood. The tank was slowing filling again and my guage was going up (no a/c running this time). I shut it down and it is still sitting. First 90 degree day i've drove this car. Motor started and ran fine but could some long term damage be possible? What should i do or check first? I'm a seasoned mechanic but know NOTHING besides all the bad stuff i have read about this car/motor.
I seached the site first and found nothing....
I seached the site first and found nothing....
Last edited by LoudxB; 06-02-2008 at 12:59 PM.
#3
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
^^^ yup, that pretty much was what I was thinking.
any drastic mods to your car? Any chance something was impeding the airflow? (did you check for debris that could have gotten through the grill)
any drastic mods to your car? Any chance something was impeding the airflow? (did you check for debris that could have gotten through the grill)
#6
Sorry for the lack of info.
04 GT MT 34k miles. All recalls were done by previous owner with good maintenance history.
Since i've bought it i've done my own. Radiator is not obstructed. Its not an airflow problem because when its moving the temp is fine. I'm gonna tear it down tonight. Good thing its not my DD. I hope my engine will forgive me this time..... Any more suggestions.
04 GT MT 34k miles. All recalls were done by previous owner with good maintenance history.
Since i've bought it i've done my own. Radiator is not obstructed. Its not an airflow problem because when its moving the temp is fine. I'm gonna tear it down tonight. Good thing its not my DD. I hope my engine will forgive me this time..... Any more suggestions.
#10
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
^+1
check ur fan, coolant concentration, and coolant level. oh also, might want to check for small leak on the rubber radiator hose. there are 3 pieces.
When was the last time you change the coolant ? Cuz your system might have bubbles in it, make sure you bleed it correctly.
check ur fan, coolant concentration, and coolant level. oh also, might want to check for small leak on the rubber radiator hose. there are 3 pieces.
When was the last time you change the coolant ? Cuz your system might have bubbles in it, make sure you bleed it correctly.
#12
Registered
iTrader: (3)
yes make sure fans are working! Anytime you are caught in a situation like this and have to use the a/c--ALWAYS __put the a/c control on fan setting 4. this automatically turns on a fan and it helps the car to not get into a non recoverable overheating situation. EVERY car is prone to this not just the rx8. Run a 70 % water and 30% coolant blend unless you live in the north and never ever use 5W20 oil!!
olddragger
olddragger
#13
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
yes make sure fans are working! Anytime you are caught in a situation like this and have to use the a/c--ALWAYS __put the a/c control on fan setting 4. this automatically turns on a fan and it helps the car to not get into a non recoverable overheating situation. EVERY car is prone to this not just the rx8. Run a 70 % water and 30% coolant blend unless you live in the north and never ever use 5W20 oil!!
olddragger
olddragger
#16
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/gentlemen-check-your-grommets-45395/
I had that same problem - check this thread.....
S
I had that same problem - check this thread.....
S
#18
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
My Renny overheated yesterday on the way to our BBQ. I was going through the Lincoln Tunnel and I noticed my water temp at 260+! I can't stop in the tunnel... so I had to get through and pulled on the first left, 3 RX8's in tow. Coolant EVERYWHERE... PA cops gave us some water and we booked it to Chris' house! I reckon I took a few thousand miles off my motor
It was a freaking radiator fan fuse that blew..
It was a freaking radiator fan fuse that blew..
#19
You win!
Replaced it and was able to hear the fan run. I'm an electrical engineer by trade and a rule of thumb is never to replace the fuse without fixing the problem first... well i violated that tonight. I'm gonna carry an extra in the car and see how long this new one lasts. I bought the car last November so this could have been blown for a long time. I rarely drive it anyway and this was the first time in high heat. I went ahead and flushed the coolant out and refilled under vacuum to prevent air pockets. I changed the oil to 5W-30 (i was using 5W-20) after reading a bunch of threads on here. I ran a compression check and the numbers were all consistently good. Lucky me. Its gonna be 90 tomorrow and i'll probably be looking to score some drive-thru food again so it will be a good test.
Thanks for all your replies... this site has so many knowledgeable people! At least there is a searchable thread now for this.
Replaced it and was able to hear the fan run. I'm an electrical engineer by trade and a rule of thumb is never to replace the fuse without fixing the problem first... well i violated that tonight. I'm gonna carry an extra in the car and see how long this new one lasts. I bought the car last November so this could have been blown for a long time. I rarely drive it anyway and this was the first time in high heat. I went ahead and flushed the coolant out and refilled under vacuum to prevent air pockets. I changed the oil to 5W-30 (i was using 5W-20) after reading a bunch of threads on here. I ran a compression check and the numbers were all consistently good. Lucky me. Its gonna be 90 tomorrow and i'll probably be looking to score some drive-thru food again so it will be a good test.
Thanks for all your replies... this site has so many knowledgeable people! At least there is a searchable thread now for this.
#20
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
You win!
Replaced it and was able to hear the fan run. I'm an electrical engineer by trade and a rule of thumb is never to replace the fuse without fixing the problem first... well i violated that tonight. I'm gonna carry an extra in the car and see how long this new one lasts. I bought the car last November so this could have been blown for a long time. I rarely drive it anyway and this was the first time in high heat. I went ahead and flushed the coolant out and refilled under vacuum to prevent air pockets. I changed the oil to 5W-30 (i was using 5W-20) after reading a bunch of threads on here. I ran a compression check and the numbers were all consistently good. Lucky me. Its gonna be 90 tomorrow and i'll probably be looking to score some drive-thru food again so it will be a good test.
Thanks for all your replies... this site has so many knowledgeable people! At least there is a searchable thread now for this.
Replaced it and was able to hear the fan run. I'm an electrical engineer by trade and a rule of thumb is never to replace the fuse without fixing the problem first... well i violated that tonight. I'm gonna carry an extra in the car and see how long this new one lasts. I bought the car last November so this could have been blown for a long time. I rarely drive it anyway and this was the first time in high heat. I went ahead and flushed the coolant out and refilled under vacuum to prevent air pockets. I changed the oil to 5W-30 (i was using 5W-20) after reading a bunch of threads on here. I ran a compression check and the numbers were all consistently good. Lucky me. Its gonna be 90 tomorrow and i'll probably be looking to score some drive-thru food again so it will be a good test.
Thanks for all your replies... this site has so many knowledgeable people! At least there is a searchable thread now for this.
#21
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
My Renny overheated yesterday on the way to our BBQ. I was going through the Lincoln Tunnel and I noticed my water temp at 260+! I can't stop in the tunnel... so I had to get through and pulled on the first left, 3 RX8's in tow. Coolant EVERYWHERE... PA cops gave us some water and we booked it to Chris' house! I reckon I took a few thousand miles off my motor
It was a freaking radiator fan fuse that blew..
It was a freaking radiator fan fuse that blew..
I should've check the fuse. Maybe tomorrow.
Does each fan has its own fuse? I forgot.
#22
Registered
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
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My car overheated about 3 weeks ago while driving in stop & go traffic. I finally made it home after sitting on the side of the road for about 1/2 hour. Since I had no idea what happened I decided to pull everything apart...what a PITA. The #1 fan overheated and melted the plastic around the post for the fan blade. I had to pull the blade off in order to see it. The #2 fan was fine.....I tested it by hooking it straight to the battery. I went to the dealer the next day to explain what happened and they simply told me Mazda is aware of the problem but they will not do anything about it....go figure. I ended up installing a 3.8L Ford Taurus fan that pushes 4000CFM and have not had an problems. I have the a/m temp sensor cutting the fan on at 190 degrees.......fan cuts off around 182 degrees.
Last edited by 1stgen8; 06-03-2008 at 12:31 AM.
#23
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
My car overheated about 3 weeks ago while driving in stop & go traffic. I finally made it home after sitting on the side of the road for about 1/2 hour. Since I had no idea what happened I decided to pull everything apart...what a PITA. The #1 fan overheated and melted the plastic around the post for the fan blade. I had to pull the blade off in order to see it. The #2 fan was fine.....I tested it by hooking it straight to the battery. I went to the dealer the next day to explain what happened and they simply told me Mazda is aware of the problem but they will not do anything about it....go figure. I ended up installing a 3.8L Ford Taurus fan that pushes 4000CFM and have not had an problems. I have the a/m temp sensor cutting the fan on at 190 degrees.......fan cuts off around 182 degrees.
and how you hook the sensor ? pics anything ?