General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

coolant temp needle doesn't move past 11:30 & high idle

Old 10-20-2007, 12:44 PM
  #1  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default coolant temp needle doesn't move past 11:30 & high idle

So I noticed that my coolant temp needle doesn't move past "11:30" (little before halfway point), where it used to hang around "12:45-1:00" before. The car also likes to idle around 2.1-2.5k RPM..

I would write my hypothesis but I'd like to see what the gurus have to say without me swaying things with my likely misguided opinions. :gay:
kotomile is offline  
Old 10-20-2007, 12:47 PM
  #2  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
neogenesis2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,413
Total Cats: 20
Default

I like mine to never go past 11:30. Any past that and the motor is getting too hot. As for the high idle, adjust your idle screw?
neogenesis2004 is offline  
Old 10-20-2007, 01:07 PM
  #3  
AFM Crusader
iTrader: (19)
 
olderguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wayne, NJ
Posts: 4,666
Total Cats: 336
Default

Originally Posted by kotomile
So I noticed that my coolant temp needle doesn't move past "11:30" (little before halfway point), where it used to hang around "12:45-1:00" before. The car also likes to idle around 2.1-2.5k RPM..

I would write my hypothesis but I'd like to see what the gurus have to say without me swaying things with my likely misguided opinions. :gay:
Could be that with the higher idle you are moving more water and keeping the temp down where it belongs. Replace the thermostat and drop the idle. Flush the whole thing out while you have it open.
olderguy is offline  
Old 10-20-2007, 01:10 PM
  #4  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

i track my stock 1.6 with an auto radiator...hard. I've had it out in 103* heat, given the track everything the 1.6 had, and the needle never moved. I have seen it move previously, when I had too much coolant in.
hustler is offline  
Old 10-27-2007, 08:49 AM
  #5  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

To revisit, the thermostat is stuck open. The engine was dumping extra fuel and idling high (adjuster screw is now ALL the way in and it STILL idles at 1500!) draining my tank and giving me a very sooty rear bumper. I'll be replacing the Tstat with another NAPA #42 on Sunday and let you know how that goes.

Today though, go-karting in ATL! Andretti Speed Lab FTW!
kotomile is offline  
Old 10-27-2007, 09:33 AM
  #6  
AFM Crusader
iTrader: (19)
 
olderguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wayne, NJ
Posts: 4,666
Total Cats: 336
Default

While you are at it, pull the temp sensor at the rear of the engine and test or replace it and check the wiring going to it. It may be telling the ECU that your temp is way low and throwing in the extra fuel(like the resistor trick for European GReddys)
olderguy is offline  
Old 10-27-2007, 04:47 PM
  #7  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

I'll do that if the thermostat doesn't fix it, for sure.

Atlanta dudes: I couldn't get the karts under 23.735.. but I beat my dad and my wife!
kotomile is offline  
Old 11-01-2007, 05:23 PM
  #8  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

Damn. New thermostat didn't fix it. :(

olderguy - I'm clueless about the temp sensor in the rear of the engine. Which plug is it?
kotomile is offline  
Old 11-01-2007, 05:25 PM
  #9  
AFM Crusader
iTrader: (19)
 
olderguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wayne, NJ
Posts: 4,666
Total Cats: 336
Default

The one with the green top
Attached Thumbnails coolant temp needle doesn't move past 11:30 & high idle-rear-engine-sensors.jpg  
olderguy is offline  
Old 11-02-2007, 02:27 PM
  #10  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

Ahh, thank you. Now to call parts store.
kotomile is offline  
Old 11-02-2007, 02:33 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
devin mac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 881
Total Cats: 4
Default

hmm, i wasn't datalogging this morning, but i was idling at like 2k durng warmup, and like 1.5k when i should have been at operating temp... wonder if i have a similar issue going on.

keep us updated.
devin mac is offline  
Old 11-02-2007, 05:39 PM
  #12  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

Okay, so I bought the part and went to install it..

..there's no way my hand is fitting back there. I figure I'll do it when I install my clutch. I can drill/tap the pan really easy while it's out too.
kotomile is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frank_and_Beans
Supercharger Discussion
13
09-12-2016 08:17 PM
shooterschmidty
Engine Performance
8
09-30-2015 10:28 PM
FrankB
Miata parts for sale/trade
6
09-30-2015 11:48 AM
thumpetto007
Race Prep
4
09-27-2015 05:16 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: coolant temp needle doesn't move past 11:30 & high idle



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:10 PM.