A few (different) questions

F

Frapp

New member
Howdy, just a few questions I got lately.



1. My car lately is enjoying going above the 1/2 mark on the heat gauge at stop lights/signs or in slow moving traffic. It also seems to be warming up a lot quicker than it used to. I recently got an oil change and I changed the air filter (old one was dark grey :eek: ). Is this a potential problem with the car, or is it the weather that's doing this?



2. My windshield wipers are acting up.. I've had them not even a month, and already my driver side one is smearing water right in my view. I had to throw out the pair before that because they wouldn't even wipe anymore..just went right over the water / fluid. That was fun pulling over and using my sleeve to wipe the washer fluid off..What the hell am I doing wrong? They're on secure, so I don't think it's an issue of them being loose.
 
Frapp....ever replaced the thermostat?

As for the wipers, go with silicone....You can try to switch wiper arms if there the same size, or just switch blades.....
 
Frapp, u may want to check the wiper springs. As the car ages, they sometimes wear out, and then no longer hold the rubber blade tight against the windshield.
 
if the temp needle is going above where it normally is, then yes, you have a potential problem. Even in hot weather, the car should be able to compensate, especially in Mass. My car never went over it's normal point even in 122 degree AZ weather.



a few theings you should check

1) do you have enough fluid?

2) has anyone worked on your car...you could have an air bubble in the radiator

3) are the radiator fans working

4) check your radiator cap...if the rubber is old replace the cap...if the system can't maintain proper pressure, your car will heat up
 
What the others have said about your cooling system. I'd get it checked out, better safe than sorry. If you're still running the original thermostat/cap/fans/etc. you're probably due for a few new parts.



For the wipers, some just last longer and/or work better than others. I seem to go through a LOT of wiper blades, but it's worth it for good visibility. But at your car's age, you might have to bend the metal wiper arms a little to restore proper tension against the glass.
 
Thanks to all who replied :D

I'll definitely have to check those things out.

Is there any way I could do a sort of preliminary check on the thermostat myself, or is that better left to my mechanic?
 
Hey, the very first thing I would check with the car heating up is check that the air deflector on the bottom of the car is still there. It directs tons of air into the radiator. Since you said it is mostly when stopped, the next thing I'd check is that the fans actually come on. When you aren't moving, no air moves through the radiator and it heats up. The fans should kick in and alleviate this with no problem though.



You can ground out the fan to see if they even work, but that won't tell you if they are getting switched. Let the car sit for a bit and watch them, they should come on after a bit.
 
Frapp said:
[BIs there any way I could do a sort of preliminary check on the thermostat myself, or is that better left to my mechanic? [/B]
Click to expand...



The usual answer, which sounds like just TOO much of a hassle to *me*, is to remove the thermostat, drop it in a pan of water along with a thermometer, heat the water and see if the thermostat opens (it'll be obvious) at the right temperature. Or you can try to feel the radiator hose connected to the thermostat...it should only have coolant flowing through it after the coolant reaches the proper temp.



SO...maybe you'll want to just take it to your mechanic ;)
 
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