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Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

posted by  JPistos on  Mon Jul 14 12:20 CST 2008
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 10:41 CST 2014
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93 240 wagon - This is a little long but it may be relevant:
I had noticed some coolant loss but couldn't trace it. So the day before the big vacation road trip and work is going crazy the Mrs. calls me and says the car overheated at a stop light. Fortuneatly she is a smart gal and shut her off immediately upon seeing steam/smoke. So she got a push off the road and I picked up some 50/50 on the way to her, hoping to make it home. So I poured it in and she (the car) cranked right up and ran ok, but I could see the coolant leaking out of the radiator (3" crack on the left plastic side), too fast to try anything but a tow truck. Got her (the car) towed to the house and there she sat till after vacation. Fast fwd to last week and I changed out the radiator, topped up w/ water and started her up (still the car). Pleny of white smoke for about 2-3 minutes, then ok. Did a flush and then put in the coolant. Test drives ok. But - temperature sensor not working - reads cold all the time.
Question #1 - do you think she (the Mrs.) saved her (the car) head gasket?
Question #2 - did that little episode fry the temperature sensor or gauge or is it time to do the bypass trick on the compensator?
Thanks!
JPistos







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    Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

    posted by  TONY H on  Tue Jul 15 03:56 CST 2008
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    I'm Glad She (The wife) was cool headed enough to shut her (The car) down. LOL

    I think it is too coincidental for the Comp Board to fail.

    Check the wire to the Sensor.
    Short the connector to the block and see if she ( the wife) sees the Temp gauge shooting up toward hot. If the gauge starts to move to Hot immediatly as you short it, The Comp Board is probabky OK and I'd start with replacing the sensor.


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    Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

    posted by  Smitty on  Mon Jul 14 16:34 CST 2008
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    last visit: Sat Aug 9 22:44 CST 2014
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    Well, proceed with caution, but there's a good chance you got lucky. Check the dipstick for any sign of oil contamination (foamy oil-water emulsion). Run the car up to operating temp and look for signs of bubbles in the coolant expansion tank, as well as more whitish smoke out the exhaust. Any of those are signs of head gasket failure, or worse.

    Meanwhile, check the connector to the coolant temp sensor and its harness, but it sounds like it's toast and I would anticipate a replacement.
    --
    Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for. -- Will Rogers








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      Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

      posted by  JPistos on  Sun Aug 10 05:49 CST 2008
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      last visit: Wed Oct 8 10:41 CST 2014
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      So I tried to check the temp gauge per the Haynes Manual by connecting a jumper from the temp sensor lead wire to ground (w/ignition on), but still no movement on the gauge. Since my test didn't cause the gauge to go full hot, I ordered a used gauge from VLVworld, that took two weeks, but price was right $22. Installed new(used) gauge and still nothing, so then I pulled the temp compensator board and jumped the connectors as noted on this board, now the gauge works. Not sure if the original gauge was also bad too - is there any way to check (and repair)the original gauge? It's sitting on my work bench. Meanwhile, now that I have a working temp gauge, I will be using this car for commuting again so we will see if everything is still ok....assume no news is good news.








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        Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

        posted by  jon_h on  Sun Aug 10 09:51 CST 2008
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 11:57 CST 2014
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        Is your concern stiI've nl the head gasket? If it went (via the overheating), you should see smoke from exhaust; hear a miss in the engine; have white deposits on spark plugs; find coolant in the oil. Assume you checked all of those.

        Drive it and see. A few short trips; extended drives at highway speed. See how it goes.

        No advice on the gauge. I keep spares around (parts cars) and often just drive with a non-functioning gauge. When I've had 240 cooling system problems I saw / smelled / heard it before the gauge indicated anything.
        --
        240s: 2 drivers and some parts cars








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          Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

          posted by  JPistos on  Mon Aug 11 06:22 CST 2008
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          last visit: Wed Oct 8 10:41 CST 2014
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          I think the head gasket is good, just wanted to know if anyone has ever fixed a temp gauge.








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    Replaced radiator, head gasket ok? and temp gauge doesn't work. 200

    posted by  Smitty on  Mon Jul 14 16:34 CST 2008
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    last visit: Sat Aug 9 22:44 CST 2014
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    Well, proceed with caution, but there's a good chance you got lucky. Check the dipstick for any sign of oil contamination (foamy oil-water emulsion). Run the car up to operating temp and look for signs of bubbles in the coolant expansion tank, as well as more whitish smoke out the exhaust. Any of those are signs of head gasket failure, or worse.

    Meanwhile, check the connector to the coolant temp sensor and its harness, but it sounds like it's toast and I was anticipate a replacement.
    --
    Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for. -- Will Rogers







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