Guest hopair Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 I was driving in traffic for 20 minutes in 85 degree heat. Engine heated to the last hash mark before "red" on coolant gauge on inst. panel. I stopped the engine for 10 minutes and the temp was down to just above normal. Later while driving at 45 mph, it began to heat up again. The coolant was at proper level. Could I have a sticky thermostat?..and how to check/replace it. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Use diagnostics to verify your fans are working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 agree with checking the fans.10 minutes with the engine off doesn't sound like it would be enough time for the engine to cool down very much, if at all. a "old school" trick regarding overheating is turn the heater & fan on (turn off a/c & roll down the windows). that should take the coolant temp down a bit in a few minutes.thermostat repair: http://reattaowner.com/roj/component/content/article/66-engine-a-drivetrain/cooling-system/176-thermostat-installation-instructionsas Padgett does, i also use a 180 degree thermostat. another possibility is the water pump is going out. hope not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry W Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Did you check the coolant level in the overflow tank, or in the radiator itself? Check the level in the actual radiator after it cools. If it's not completely full, have your system pressure tested at a competent radiator shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Could also be a collapsed lower radiator hose but if it cools down over 50 mph look to the fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hopair Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Thanks to you all. Lots on my "to-do check list". I'll replace my thermostat and check all hoses(lower radiator hose),check pressure of radiator, and fans operating properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hopair Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Just drove 50 miles in 85 degree heat. Let it idle at home for 30 more minutes and temp. remained normal. Both fans working. Fluids are exact when hot and cold in overflow tank and radiator when cold. So I'm at a loss. Fortunately, my 91 has easy access to thermostat housing bolts if it needs changing. Question: what is the adjustment type screw on top of the thermostat housing for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry yarnell Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 It's an air bleed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hopair Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 It's an air bleed.Just got back from vacation. How and when should I use the air bleed? I'm assuming while it's running at temp. Also just noticed the upper hose is always hot and can't feel water flowing when I squeeze it. I'm thinking my thermostat might be stuck half open?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) Air bleed should NOT be opened when the engine is hot. The air bleed should be opened while filling the radiator when the engine is cold. Slowly fill the radiator until you see water come out the air bleed valve then close it. Continue filling the radiator slowly until it is full. Then gently squeeze the top radiator hose while watching the opening in the radiator to see if air burps out. Refill the radiator if needed the put the cap in the radiator. It's OK to open the bleeder again to see if additional air come but don't open when the cooling system is hot or under pressure. You could get seriously burned by hot water spraying out.BTW, If this is a Reatta you are working on I have never seen a air bleed valve on one. Edited July 3, 2014 by Ronnie (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hopair Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Hi Ronnie. I have a '91 Reatta in question. Harry Yarnell mentioned the screw on top of the thermostat housing is an "Air Bleed" seen in picture. I opened it while engine was cold and let a little radiator fluid escape. Is this the valve you're referring too? If not an air bleed, what is it for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 It looks like an air bleed screw in the top of the water neck to me. That must be unique to a '91 model as it has a later series of 3800 that the older models.Did any air escape when you removed the screw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hopair Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 No air escaped, just a little antifreeze. Checked all other operations and it still overheats in traffic. Dial goes up to the 2 o'clock position on the temp. gauge.Do you know the temperatures per light over the 12 o'clock position? I'm in the blind here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) here's a partial list provided by a fellow forum member some time back. Ronnie had a nice jpg showing the gauge segments and their corresponding temps, but I didn't find it.The 2nd segment comes on at 115 degrees F.The 3rd segment comes on at 131 degrees F.The 4th segment comes on at 147 degrees F.The 5th segment comes on at 167 degrees F.The 6th segment comes on at 184 degrees F. (This is the 12 o?clock position).The 7th segment comes on at 212 degrees F.The 8th segment comes on at 217 degrees F.The 9th segment comes on at 223 degrees F.The 10th segment comes on at 230 degrees F Edited July 14, 2014 by Mc_Reatta (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buickguy62 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Here's the jpg from Ronnie[h=2]Re: temperture[/h]This photo will give you an approximation of how hot the engine is getting. You can enter diagnostic mode and read the actual temperatures if needed. RonnieBCA & Reatta Div. member1988 Red/Tan - Click here to visit Ronnie's Reatta Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hopair Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Thanks to all. This gives me piece of mind. Seems if I keep it under 230 in traffic for short periods of time, I won't blow my engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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