i was driving around tonight and the weather here is about mid 40's...my car has been running really good with this cooler weather change, i've noticed the low coolant light on ever once and a while then it goes off. i have checked the coolant several times with that little plastic dip stick thing, but never opened the radiator cap.

well tonight that low coolant light was on, then i would shut the key off, and then start it back up and it would be fine...i let it sit a my buddies house for about 10 min while i ran in side with the heat on...i came back out and noticed the temp gauge pegged well beyond 260* and the check gagues light was on. i shut the car off and let it sit, it was about 240ish and i drove it to my buddies shop...

we let it sit for about 10 min then took off the radiator cap, and it was about a half a gallon low, so we filled it up, and let it sit again, then the temp gauge started climbing...he called his dad which is a mechanic and said that it was vapor locked, and to open the bleeder valve on the thermostate housing, then fill with anti-freeze.

well that did the trick!!! and it stayed at the 195* mark like it always does after that...

my question is do you think that it hurt anything being about 300* i still have excellent power and the oil looks fine.

i didnt know that air in the line could cause the temp to do that!

just thought id share it with ya,
steve

p.s. do you think the rings got seated that way??!?! lol

 

Check for coolant in the oil (or vice-versa?). This would indicate a blown head gasket. That's usually the worst side effect of a major overheat.

-Michael

 

might wanna change your oil too! sometimes on a major overheat the oil will lose its ability to protect. ive seen some terrible looking bearings from overheated motors.

 

I would change the oil and keep a check on the levels just to rule out a blown head gasket or warped head.
I was adjusting my valves and forgot to bleed the systems and my car did the same exact thing. I've been 1200 or so miles on it and no problems. I think it's worse when you drive and drive or are under high load when you over heat as the internals start to become very over heated also.

-Shannon