jim beam <me@privacy.net> wrote in
news:d-ednfLhtO5DtNHXnZ2dnUVZ_rKdnZ2d@speakeasy.net:

> BT wrote:
>> Car: 1999 Honda Civic CX (Hatchback)
>> Miles: 242,000
>> Location: Southern California
>>
>> Symptoms: Sweet smell when I started the car Monday morning. Thought
>> my daughter had dropped some candy or something and ignored it.
>> Tuesday afternoon, while driving up a hill at ~50mph, I noticed the
>> engine temp gauge needle rising pretty quickly. It got about 3/4 of
>> the way to the top while I was looking. I was in the process of
>> slowing down to make a left turn, so took my foot off the gas and the
>> needle went down as well. Made it back home driving very slowly, and
>> the needle never went above the halfway point (but it was still above
>> where it normally rests). When I got home, checked the oil level
>> (fine), coolant (near max) and if the rad fan was obstructed in some
>> way (it was fine). Drove normally to the dealership after about 2
>> hours, and the temp gauge needle was at it's usual spot just about
>> the 3/8 mark.
>
> gauge can't be trusted unless it's in the red - it's non-linear.




Maybe so, but my infrared thermometer tells me the gauge is awfully good
at informing you of overheating well BEFORE it gets into the red.

With a 78C thermostat, you're expecting about 205F at the upper rad hose
inlet at the head. As the gauge begins to climb above its "normal"
position, the temperature at the inlet will climb to well above 205.

Bottom line: Ignore the gauge at your peril! Once it lands in the red, head
and block wapage is a virtual certainty! Catch overheating early and no
harm is done.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/