Temp gauge ~ s14a

2nd January 2013, 17:45

Isn't my vts, but my s14a with the rb25 conversion, thought i would ask on here for a bit of general advice first.

Basically when it's sat at idle for approx 5 mins or more (only ever does it at idle), the temp gauge shoots right up to the red, however when you press the throttle and start moving again, it goes back down to halfway. I'm guessing this is something to do with the thermostat , possible sticking or something? Then when the throttle is engaged it sort of frees it up?

Cheers

3rd January 2013, 00:13

Im not familiar with that engine but sounds more like a shagged water pump or radiator to me, cant move enough water at idle perhaps

3rd January 2013, 00:20

my vtr does it

lots of turbo cars will do it..the bay temps arent being kept under control as the water isnt rushing around and air cooling it

long as its not over heating and your fan is kicking in when it should..you shouldnt have anything to worry about

3rd January 2013, 17:01

Cheers for replies. I don't think it's a major issue as when i've been driving around (even for an hour and half), the temp gauage doesn't move at all.

I just can't remember if it went up at idle before or if it's only just started doing it. I'll stick a thjread on skyline owners just to be safe. Cheers

3rd January 2013, 17:11

Sounds to me like a fan issue

fan should be more than enough to keep an idling engine cool. The turbo isn't really doing anything at idle so not like that's a source of major heat.

Or your radiator needing a bleed? or partially stuck thermostat.

28th January 2013, 17:24

Right, this problem started happening the other day while driving, noticed the temp gauge creeping up, then it fall straight down to the middle. Tried letting air out of the system via a bleed point near the inlet mani, a lot of air seemed to come out and the problem was better, however was still there.

I then decided to start from scratch and emptied the system completely, flushed it through again, connected all the hoses back. Left it on idle for a good 10 mins, and the temp gauge just started creeping higher, and then was no hot air comming from the heaters. I looked down and noticed a leak where the bottom rad hose connects to the rad. Could this be the cause of all the problems? Maybe the leak wasn't as severe as before which is why there was still a fair amount of coolant in the system.

I also took the thermostat out today (what a ballache that was) tested it in boiling water and it was fine

I have posted this on skyline owners but good to get a broad range of opinions

28th January 2013, 22:02

It could be if there's been a small leak, it's been letting air in and letting water out.

Air pockets are what usually cause temperature gauges to fluctuate.

28th January 2013, 22:32

Yeah that's what i was thinking. Well i'm going to order a new bottom hose and some different jubliee clips, get a new thermostat anyway now that the old ones out, re-fill it all and bleed, hopefully that will solve it. Going to buy a sniff test off ebay anyway just to double check.

Cheers

24th March 2013, 12:05

Just to update this in case anyone cares (probably not!)

Changed the thermostat, new bottom hose and clips, new coolant, bled it, did a sniff test twice which was all clear. Took it out for 2 hours on friday on a rather spirited drive, was aboslutely fine, no overheating at all, temp gauge stayed bang in the middle the whole time, happy days!