I had it changed at 36,000 miles and now I'm at 44,000

It's been extremely cold here, say under 20* for a few weeks, I've been noticeing that when I hold the gas up hills or under pressure the engine temp gauge would go slightly above that first check mark (normally it sits below that first check) I checked the coolent level after driving today and it needed some added, I thought that was wierd since it never leaks and I feel like I'm adding to it every few months

So...Do I have a problem as to why I need to add coolent on ocasion? where is it going?

And... Where does your temp gauge normally sit on your 3.8 and what kind of circumstances cause it to go up? Mine seems very effected by the weather in the summer (runs like crap too) (never gets above that 210 mark) Most days it sits to the - of the first check but sometimes on longer trips it gets to the + side of that first check and will stay there even under high speeds.

~Chris

 

Anyone?
I'm really only asking where the coolent could go or what your 3.8's temp gauge sits at or what causes it to move?

~Chris

 

The weather doesn't make a big difference on my operating temps. It does a little, but it doesn't cause it to differ from the norm. In the winter, it will take longer for it to get to the first line and in the summer, it will get there quicker.

Just because you can't see any leaks doesn't mean it isn't leaking. I mean, if you need to keep adding, there is a problem.

My temp gauge sits at the first line...in the summer it might get barely over but thats rare. Only time I get up close to the second line is if I'm sitting in traffic.

 

Maybe there is some air pockets in the system that the guy left from changing out your coolant. Mine is always a couple of mm left of the vertical mark. The only time it went over to the rt of it was when I was low on coolant. But I did a lot of driving so it lost some. Wait til your car is cooled off and check the radiator cap and reservoir again. If there are some air int here you will see in on the radiator and you will have to fill it again. If they are both full, then see if it's still happening.

 

Wait till the car is running and warmed up, then crack the bleeder screw open on the thermostat housing. Close it as soon as coolant starts coming out with no air in it.

- Justin

 

I've had several different vehicles lose coolant like this with no evidence of a leak. Swap the radiator cap for a new one. A bad cap will let too much fluid into the overflow tank, overflowing it through it's overflow onto the ground. No evidence of a leak 'cause the overflow tanks usually have a hose that dumps under the car. My Blazer did it last summer, my mom's car this winter. Had a Toyota truck that went through 5 in 6.5yrs. Try that first if you can't see any evidence of leaking at connections or water pump.

 

Thanks guys, I'll check it some more next time I'm under the hood.

It really didnt take as much as I thought it did, maybe 1/2 a cup full most and it's been consistant since, maybe every 6 months it takes that much. I blead it through the screw years ago but I'll check that again once the weather warms up

Our cars don't seem to be very consistant....Importkiller seems to run his temp right where mine is where as F1GT seems to run hotter
I guess as long as it stayed under the 210.

Both the 3.8 and my old 2.8 run like crap once they get really hot in traffic situations!