coolant meeter going up and down

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by drift878, Apr 23, 2012.

  1. drift878

    drift878 SRT-4 Beast

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    I was driving my srt4 and I seen my coolant level passed the half way mark just a lil bit. Then it goes back down a lil bit back to the half way mark is this ok? It just worrys me I just brought the car. Does any body else have this problem? And wen I turn my heater on I smell coolant a lil.
     
  2. master_1011

    master_1011 The Man.

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    As long as it doesn't overheat. Movement is normal, it's just showing your thermostat opening and closing.
     
  3. master_1011

    master_1011 The Man.

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    And just to play devils advocate, did you check the actual level of your coolant?
     
  4. drift878

    drift878 SRT-4 Beast

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    The coolant level is fine it's full thanks man I thought this wasn't normal. I'm so use to my Honda it just stays in one place.
     
  5. master_1011

    master_1011 The Man.

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    In the SRT4 (and SRT-8 for that matter) the temperature gauge actually moves depending on engine temp. You can easily tell when the thermostat opens up.
     
  6. loxmith

    loxmith Recovering Post Whore...

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    ^ What he said...a little above the half-way is the normal high point for a stock thermostat car. As for the smelling coolant when you turn your heater on that is not normal. Hopefully that is just your imagination, 'cause you were freaked about the gauge movement. If not, then you probably should get that checked...
     
  7. drift878

    drift878 SRT-4 Beast

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    I will make sure that ill get this checked out.. the weird thing is that my friend has dodge truck and wen he turns on his heat on low he smells coolant too. R u sure this not a normal thing for dodge?
     
  8. loxmith

    loxmith Recovering Post Whore...

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    If it is, then my car is abnormal...'cause I don't ever smell coolant when I use the heat. Which normally I could write off as just me, 'cause I don't really smell anything. (according to my wife...LoL!) But, she has NEVER complained either, and she can smell just about anything.
     
  9. drift878

    drift878 SRT-4 Beast

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    Um it doesn't smell to strong just a small odor. Maybe its just me tho lol.
     
  10. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    The stock fans turn on at 210-212 if i remember. the thermostat is 200 so the movement is fine.
     
  11. drift878

    drift878 SRT-4 Beast

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    Thanks man the car is running fine now but the check engine light came on.. The code is a po551 it's for the power steering sensor I'll get this fix ASAP.
     
  12. StillANeon

    StillANeon Full Access Member

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    Seems a bit high.
     
  13. Oskar Negt

    Oskar Negt New Member

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    My first idea would be a bad temp sensor, which can give erratic & false readings when everything is actually functioning fine. It is important to verify everything is good though, because temps in the red can quickly damage your engine.