Running warm, but not blowing hot air
10-13-2014, 02:38 PM
#1
Running warm, but not blowing hot air
Last night when returning home I noticed the temp gauge was running hotter than normal, not overheating but probably 3 bars higher than it normally does, at the same time though it wasn't blowing hot air through the vents on any setting. Today all is normal... Does my s2k just not like near freezing temps? Is there something specific I should be looking at like a thermostat?
10-14-2014, 08:47 AM
#3
...and fix this asap. Your car is dangerously close to overheating, which could easily take out your motor.
Its not as easy as topping off the coolant. You probably need to bleed the system, which is not easy on these cars. Look for the billman diy on bleeding coolant. If you take it to a shop, unless they know the S2000, they will think they bleed it enough but they really didn't. You will still have issues and potential meltdown.
Make sure this is done right, and soon. Also, how did you get low in the first place? Unless you know why, assume there is a leak, find it and fix or else you will become an expert at bleeding the coolant as this issie will keep coming back.
Its not as easy as topping off the coolant. You probably need to bleed the system, which is not easy on these cars. Look for the billman diy on bleeding coolant. If you take it to a shop, unless they know the S2000, they will think they bleed it enough but they really didn't. You will still have issues and potential meltdown.
Make sure this is done right, and soon. Also, how did you get low in the first place? Unless you know why, assume there is a leak, find it and fix or else you will become an expert at bleeding the coolant as this issie will keep coming back.
10-15-2014, 05:04 PM
#4
It is easy...when you know what to do 
Run the car for about 10-15 minutes with the heater on, and the radiator cap off(keep the radiator topped off with coolant) be careful because the coolant level will sink once the fan comes on and the thermostat opens, maybe even hold the revs at 3,000rpm'ish for a bit as it will help get it to temperature. Then shut off the car and CAREFULLY with a long socket and extension, crack open the bleeder(same as cracking the bleeder on the brakes). You should see steam come out of it, that's the trapped air, give the upper radiator hose a squeeze, use an oven mit or a towel or something cause it's pretty hot. Don't let go of the hose until you close the bleeder(don't want to suck air back in by the vacuum of a compressing and decompressing hose). Once you close the bleeder squeeze the hose a bit more, crack bleeder again and squeeze the hose, if coolant comes out of the bleeder with no steam, that usually works good enough. You can also pop off the bleeder valve at the firewall and squeeze the radiator hose until coolant comes out of that, just to get that last little bit of air out. Air is lighter than coolant and will work it's way to the highest point in the cooling system. Repeat this process until the heater is blowing out nice and hot, I'm talking about it almost hurts your hands hot.
NEVER! crack any bleeder open with the car running, only when the car is off! I can't stress this enough.
Run the car for about 10-15 minutes with the heater on, and the radiator cap off(keep the radiator topped off with coolant) be careful because the coolant level will sink once the fan comes on and the thermostat opens, maybe even hold the revs at 3,000rpm'ish for a bit as it will help get it to temperature. Then shut off the car and CAREFULLY with a long socket and extension, crack open the bleeder(same as cracking the bleeder on the brakes). You should see steam come out of it, that's the trapped air, give the upper radiator hose a squeeze, use an oven mit or a towel or something cause it's pretty hot. Don't let go of the hose until you close the bleeder(don't want to suck air back in by the vacuum of a compressing and decompressing hose). Once you close the bleeder squeeze the hose a bit more, crack bleeder again and squeeze the hose, if coolant comes out of the bleeder with no steam, that usually works good enough. You can also pop off the bleeder valve at the firewall and squeeze the radiator hose until coolant comes out of that, just to get that last little bit of air out. Air is lighter than coolant and will work it's way to the highest point in the cooling system. Repeat this process until the heater is blowing out nice and hot, I'm talking about it almost hurts your hands hot.
NEVER! crack any bleeder open with the car running, only when the car is off! I can't stress this enough.
10-15-2014, 06:06 PM
#5
10-15-2014, 06:16 PM
#6
Like I said, when the thermostat opens, it lowers the level of the coolant in the radiator, meaning the pressure in the hoses changes, if you crack the bleeder open during this, you can suck air into the system. Plus safety 
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