FD overheating

[RX7Racer]

Hi,

I\'ve only had my FD for a few months and last night I was driving it quite hard for half an hour in motorway traffic,,
holding it around 4000, in third or forth gear then short blasts upto 6000 and either coming off the power or changing up a gear.

But then I noticed the stock temperature guage about 3/4 up the scale! and i was told that they shouldnt go above half way.
The outside temperature was quite cool.

I took it easy for 10 minutes and came off the motorway and stopped for 10 minutes to let it cool.
When i did set off again, i give it a little blast and the temperature went above half way again,, so I crawled home slowly.

I also noticed a lot more poping when the engine was at low revs, while it was hot.

I always let it warm up before driving off and leave it running a few minutes before shutting it off.

what to do next ?  would damage have been done ?

thanks

[Rzla]

I would not rely on the sock gauge. They are so slow at reacting, that you\'re car would\'ve overheated and the needle would still not have moved.
 
In my opinion you should get an aftermarket water temp gauge on there sharpish. Hopefully your car did not overheat. The damage would be that you\'re water seals are gone.
 
Does the fumes from the exhaust smell sweet? And is there white smoke when the cars warmed up? That may be a bit hard to distinguish when it\'s cold!

[RX7Racer]

I\'ve not noticed anymore smoke or smells than usual,, I\'ll have to start it up and see. It never went above half way before so I dont know if its something I did, or something has gone faulty.

[Mir]

Check your water level mate and let us know. Are you using aftermarket rad?

[RX7Racer]

thanks,, the radiator is standard.

[Mir]

Water level will answer most questions. On a standard Rad, and assuming AST too, I would suggest that you should check and look for dried water signs. I am sure water seals on your car would be fine.

Mir

[clive]

Have a look under the car and see if the plastic undertray is in place under the engine, if this is missing you will get what you describe because the air will not flow through the radiator properly.

Hope this helps

[RX7Racer]

ok thanks, i\'ll look asap, probably going to be tomorrow morning.

[RX7Racer]

hmm, i dont think there is a plastic undertray, I will have a look, thanks.

[RX7Racer]

Regarding the water temperature guage,, could I just use the display on an FC Commander ?
I have a Power FC but not the Commander yet.

[Rzla]

Regarding the water temperature guage,, could I just use the display on an FC Commander ?
I have a Power FC but not the Commander yet.

Yup you can use that. Get the commander as soon as you can imo

[RX7Racer]

Yup you can use that. Get the commander as soon as you can imo

ok thanks, will do.

[RX7Racer]

ok, I had a look this morning,, the coolant level is fine,, there is a plastic undertray underneath, no excessive smoke when I started it up. I then let it idle for a while to get up to temperature. The stock guage was less than half way but I heard the fan come on.
I\'ll have to go for a drive tonight. Is it a danger sign if the guage goes above half way?

thanks

[RX7Racer]

its still popping a lot when i slow down,, it doesnt seem right.
also for 10 minutes after i shut down, the Pressure chamber sounded like it was breathing in and out, and quite a bubbley sound aswell, is this normal.. it looks quite wet or oily around it too.