Engine running hotter than usual

[Erik]

Today i did some basic maintenance for my car, i just did the plugs and wires about a month ago, oil, filter, and air filter today. The air filter was terribly dirty when i pulled it out so i was relieved to finally get a new one in there. The only problem is that i did my oil and oil filter first, then ran out to get the air filter. On the way there i noticed everything was fine. I got my K&N filter, lubed it and threw it in, there in the parking lot. On the way back home, i noticed the car is running significantly higher than what it was before. Almost up to 3/4 on the temp gauge. Does anyone know what would cause this? The intake is the stock ram air setup, that scoops under the head, above the headlights and grill. I just dont understand how relieving the stress of a dirty, clogged filter could cause the engine to run hotter.

-edit-
Also, forgot to mention, when the car downshifts, i feel like its dragging, or pulling downward, rather than letting the engine "settle" when there is no throttle. Ive never felt this before. Any questions or specifications, please ask!

Thanks.

[Evo8kid]

was the A/C on? Its most likely because of the hotness from today. just keep an eye on it

[Erik]

thats what i assumed at first, i just noticed it was climbing, even when driving. Yea i did have the AC, but i always have the AC since my driver side window motor BLOWS

[russiankid]

Did you try bleeding the system for air? I don't know how it is on Pontiacs(assuming thats what you have), but on my Honda I never even get to half even in the hottest weather with A/C. Try bleeding the system, check the fluid level. If that doesn't help, may be time to flush out the radiator and the head/block.

Edit: If the temperature keeps rising while driving, its a possibility that the impellers on the water pump are either gone or in very bad condition do to corrosion. Anytime you fill the cooling system, you should use a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and distilled water. Regular tap water still has the minerals that corrodes aluminum;cooling systems as well.

[Erik]

i did check the water pump when i first got the car. I dumped the fluids and replaced them, checked the water pump, almost everything seems to be in decent condition. Im going to wait till a slightly cooler day. It hasnt spiked yet, or crossed that 3/4 mark on the water temp gauge. The only thing i can think of is that i didnt tighten down the ram scoop enough to get it under the hood for proper intake.

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by letsRACE

i did check the water pump when i first got the car. I dumped the fluids and replaced them, checked the water pump, almost everything seems to be in decent condition. Im going to wait till a slightly cooler day. It hasnt spiked yet, or crossed that 3/4 mark on the water temp gauge. The only thing i can think of is that i didnt tighten down the ram scoop enough to get it under the hood for proper intake.

If that doesn't solve the issue, try bleeding the system for air.

[SovXietday]

Probably because of today honestly, just no where for the heat to bleed off. My car was running a constant 200* even at 75mph on the highway.

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by SovXietday

Probably because of today honestly, just no where for the heat to bleed off. My car was running a constant 200* even at 75mph on the highway.

That is very strange. I've sat in traffic for two hours a few days ago, and it was nearing 100F in traffic. My needle didn't even get to half and I had the A/C on. When I was in Texas, it would get over 100F some days and the needle wouldn't get to half either.

[EvlEgl]

My car runs colder with the AC On???!!!

No Joke

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by EvlEgl

My car runs colder with the AC On???!!!

No Joke

Cooler inside or outside?

For what I know, the thermostat should keep the engine at the same temperature at all times. So I don't see how this can be.

[BlackVr96]

well, my olds used to run warmer by about half a slash on hot ass days, or all summer, then in winter it was dead middle. never had a problem with it. ???

[russiankid]

I guess my car is just special at keeping the temp consistent.

[EvlEgl]

No the Motor Runs Cooler with the AC On...At a dead stop the needle will creep hotter if I turn ther AC on it dips back down to normal temp...It's weird.

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by EvlEgl

No the Motor Runs Cooler with the AC On...At a dead stop the needle will creep hotter if I turn ther AC on it dips back down to normal temp...It's weird.

It may be because the fans are on, or auxiliary fan in some cases.

[SovXietday]

Originally Posted by russiankid

That is very strange. I've sat in traffic for two hours a few days ago, and it was nearing 100F in traffic. My needle didn't even get to half and I had the A/C on. When I was in Texas, it would get over 100F some days and the needle wouldn't get to half either.

No offense, but using a stock Honda water temp gauge is pretty useless. They don't go past half way until you start seeing 240+ degree temps.

Evl have you taken into consideration that the gauges may be falling because of an extra voltage pull from the AC?

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by SovXietday

No offense, but using a stock Honda water temp gauge is pretty useless. They don't go past half way until you start seeing 240+ degree temps.

Evl have you taken into consideration that the gauges may be falling because of an extra voltage pull from the AC?

I don't know you may be right. I know my temp sensor is positioned in such a location that if there was a big difference in temp it would be noticeable. It is under the intake, which gets a good bit of heat from coolant hoses running to the carb.

I've actually taken temps around the engine after a few hours of driving and just about everything was under 220F.

[SovXietday]

The stock gauge is a dummy guage. It will let you know when you need to pull the car over and shut it off, otherwise it keeps people happy and doesn't confuse them with numbers and stuff. The sensor however is quite accurate so the ECU knows exactly what's going on with your engine temps.

That, and a stock Honda shouldn't overheat. 200* or so is maybe a little hot, but I don't really worry abou the car till I start to see it reaching 220s.

[russiankid]

Originally Posted by SovXietday

The stock gauge is a dummy guage. It will let you know when you need to pull the car over and shut it off, otherwise it keeps people happy and doesn't confuse them with numbers and stuff. The sensor however is quite accurate so the ECU knows exactly what's going on with your engine temps.

That, and a stock Honda shouldn't overheat. 200* or so is maybe a little hot, but I don't really worry abou the car till I start to see it reaching 220s.

I don't have an ECU in my car, everything in my car is mechanical or vacuum operated. The temps I took were probably inaccurate, as the upper radiator hose was 195F(thermostat rating).

[Erik]

well, eitherway, i dont feel that awkward pull downshifting anymore. Im guessing it was a combo of heat and humidity. Its rather nice out now, and the car is running strong again. wierd stuff

[SovXietday]

Originally Posted by russiankid

I don't have an ECU in my car, everything in my car is mechanical or vacuum operated. The temps I took were probably inaccurate, as the upper radiator hose was 195F(thermostat rating).

Is your car carb or DPFI?

If it's DPFI you have an ECU pass floor.