Help, my rx8 is overheating =[
 

I was driving around Safari Park in the UK (So very slow driving, lots of hills and clutch use) and my 8 started overheating and lots of steam was coming out.

I went to a fuel station and some man helped me a bit and said there was air in the coolant line and took the coolant cap off and started the engine and took the air out. The car was fine on the way home driving at fast speeds but as soon as I stopped to park, it started steaming and overheating again.

Does anyone know what the problem might be and what I could do about it.

I would really appreciate your help. I am going to die without this car. :'(

If you're going to die without this car, then maybe it's time you started reading up on it.

Overheating could be many issues. When was the last time you had your car in for regular maintenance? What was done? More info about your car is needed.

I only bought the car a few weeks ago. Had no problems so far. Full service history. 2005, 30,000 miles. What are some things that could have happened?

Judging by the threads you've started already, sounds like more reading is needed.

That said, have you checked the condition of your plugs/ coils? Your cat converter? Your radiator/ coolant lines?

Where was the steam coming out from? That should be the first thing to check

There was lots of air and water coming out of the engine coolant overflow pipe. That was the source of the steam.

hoping i can share your thread, didnt want to start a new one.

i've had my 8 going on 6 years now, dont drive it much since i bought a new ride..maybe 6k miles in the past 2 years. most maintenance is up to date (belts,coils, plugs, wires, oil, air filter all done within past 2 years, 15k miles max) i admit it may be time to replace coolant as its been about 3 years but only about 15k miles max.

engine replaced 4-5 years ago (30k miles) by mazda, new pump was put in.

today while driving i notice the coolant gauge moved up from about below half to various ranges which tapped out at 3/4 to max...the gauge would go up and down depending on rpm's, traveling speed, and sitting in traffic.

if moving for more than 2 minutes gauge would go below half (which is where it normally is)
if idle gauge would slowly creep past half
if rpms are held past 5k while moving relatively slowly >35mph the temps would rise
if rpms are held below 3k around >35 mph temps stay normal.

i noticed this and pulled over after about 5-10 mins of driving. when i popped the hood things looked ok, the bottle is pretty full, no smells, engine felt like its normal temps, oil level was good....overall everything seemed visually normal, no leaks or overflow.

im kinda stumped, idk if this is because the car isnt being driven daily as it once was. I been searching and no one really talks about the stock gauge, i dont have an OBD gauge to see actual op temp, any estimate what 3/4 means on the stock one?

BTW im not a noob, i forgot my PW and my email is shut down, i been here since 06 and just read and not post (magikone69)

Turns out it was the main fan fuse for me =/ which was stopping all 3 fans working.. Maybe one of your cooling fan fuses have gone?

my fans do turn on, and stay on after the engine is off..that part seems normal but it doesnt hurt to go back and see if i have any electrical issues. Im thinking something along the lines of mechanical issue. I drove today with no issues (although it wasnt as hot as yesterday)

I'm having the same issue. I'm a new owner to an 05 ant it's doing the exact same thing. All fans are working. And suggestions

i had the same problem when i first bought my car. i bet you its the fuse for the fans. check the fuse box under the hood on the driver side. make sure the fuse isnt blown. that fuse should be a 50 not a 40. the 40 will just keep on blowing on you.

Welcome..

I suggest reading the $100 thread in my signature. Fixes lots of cooling issues for a few dollars. If that does not work, there may be more. But, the foam and fans on low are great places to start.

anything past half on the gauge is new engine territory, if it rises above half you should either turn on the heater or pull over unless you have a tow truck following you.

i would be sure the reservoir is full, all air bled from the cooling system, the fans are working normally, oil level topped off(oil is also a coolant and if it is low it will run hotter) and that the car still has an undertray(yes i see alot of 8's with them missing now). a missing undertray can still cause overheating issues even while not moving.

if all that fails then have the cooling system checked for a possibly faulty coolant seal overpressurizing the system.