Temperature gauge spikes

[johnny1593]

I’ve observed my temperature gauge spike from normal to almost redlining and would like to
know what you think might be the problem and if you have recommendations on how to fix it. Instances I’ve noticed it happen is
1. every time I go through the carwash
2. when I pass through awnings in drive-thru places
This hasn’t happened before even in the past summers that I had the car.
Always topped off my coolant regularly too.
Any helpful is appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

-notacarguy09genny

 

[EdP]

I’ve observed my temperature gauge spike from normal to almost redlining and would like to
know what you think might be the problem and if you have recommendations on how to fix it. Instances I’ve noticed it happen is
1. every time I go through the carwash
2. when I pass through awnings in drive-thru places
This hasn’t happened before even in the past summers that I had the car.
Always topped off my coolant regularly too.
Any helpful is appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

-notacarguy09genny

I don't have an answer for you but something to check. Those same conditions will block the signal for XM radio and GPS. Next time you see it, turn off the radio and see if it goes back to normal. I'm thinking some sort of electrical interference but just a guess. If you garage your car check there too.

 

[scottdk]

Are you cooling fans operating at all? Without functioning fans, the engine coolant temp can get toasty unless you're moving steadily.

 

[16UltV6Guy]

I’ve observed my temperature gauge spike from normal to almost redlining and would like to
know what you think might be the problem and if you have recommendations on how to fix it. Instances I’ve noticed it happen is
1. every time I go through the carwash
2. when I pass through awnings in drive-thru places
This hasn’t happened before even in the past summers that I had the car.
Always topped off my coolant regularly too.
Any helpful is appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

-notacarguy09genny

Does it do it just idling in place, not under an awning? For instance, at a stoplight or your driveway/parking spot?

Do you have access to a code reader that can display engine parameters? To see what the actual engine temp values are, versus what your gauge is displaying.

 

[johnny1593]

I don't have an answer for you but something to check. Those same conditions will block the signal for XM radio and GPS. Next time you see it, turn off the radio and see if it goes back to normal. I'm thinking some sort of electrical interference but just a guess. If you garage your car check there too.

I use the AUX for an after-market bluetooth device and I tried to turn it off like you suggested but to no avail. Thank you for replying to my thread

 

[johnny1593]

Are you cooling fans operating at all? Without functioning fans, the engine coolant temp can get toasty unless you're moving steadily.

I’ve not noticed but yes it does start spiking when I’m idling I suppose. That’s when I notice it happen, whenever I’m parked or in neutral going thru the wash. Are those parts expensive to replace?

 

[johnny1593]

Does it do it just idling in place, not under an awning? For instance, at a stoplight or your driveway/parking spot?

Do you have access to a code reader that can display engine parameters? To see what the actual engine temp values are, versus what your gauge is displaying.

Yes now that you mentioned it I noticed it doing it even if I’m just parked in a lot.

Unfortunately I don’t have a code reader. Is that something like advance auto or o reilly’s can do for free?

 

[johnny1593]

Thank you for all your input guys I really appreciate it.
I called up a local shop and scheduled to have it inspected.
Hopefully there’s nothing big going on with my car.
I’ll update this thread when I get some more info from the shop.

 

[joegr]

I’ve not noticed but yes it does start spiking when I’m idling I suppose. That’s when I notice it happen, whenever I’m parked or in neutral going thru the wash. Are those parts expensive to replace?

It's less expensive to replace them (if they are really the problem), than it is to not replace them. Fans are way cheaper than an engine.
That said, this calls for diagnosis first. There are other parts that could fail that could cause the fan(s) not to run. Relays, temperature sensors, wiring, ... You need to follow the troubleshooting in the service manual.

 

[16UltV6Guy]

Unfortunately I don’t have a code reader. Is that something like advance auto or o reilly’s can do for free?

They would read a trouble code for you for free in their parking lot, but you would need to have one of your own to take on the road with you to get on-the-fly readings. Might be worth going by one of those places and see if they will check for any pending codes. If there is a pending code(s), that may provide a clue as to what direction to look for a solution.

You should be able to visually determine if your cooling fans are operating.

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[scottdk]

If the cooling fans are not operating at all, then the first go-to check would be to check the fan relay, but the shop will likely start at this first before digging deeper. If the relay is bad, then it's a cheap and easy fix.

 

[johnny1593]

So I just got news about my car from the shop. They checked everything from the water pump, fan, and tubes. Problems they found was:
1. There was air in the coolant system
2. There is a leak somewhere with the tubes

They have managed to fix the air by a flush but the replacement will take time since it’s a special order part. They said it’s going to cost to almost a grand to get it all fixed. Much ad I don’t want to wait on this any longer, I am looking to hear your thoughts on it. Is that a fair price? Do I have any other options at this point?

 

[Bill K]

"There is a leak somewhere with the tubes"

Do you mean that they are going to replace the radiator????…..Is this being looked at, at a Hyundai Dealer??….How low was the fluid level????

 

[johnny1593]

"There is a leak somewhere with the tubes"

Do you mean that they are going to replace the radiator????…..Is this being looked at, at a Hyundai Dealer??….How low was the fluid level????

Not the radiator itself, it was more like a gasket where the radiator connects to. He explained to me that if it were a 3-4 year old car he’d be inclined to just replace that part but seeing my car is an ‘09 he stated the parts can be warped and its best to change the whole tube assembly.
No, its not a hyundai dealership.
Yes, there was enough fluid in the system. It’s moreso the air accumulating because of the leak that’s giving me problems.

 

[toxicavenger70]

Sounds like they are saying the raditor isn't flowing correctly. Maybe some of the tubes on it are clogged and are keeping it from flowing correctly? That would my guess. On older cars you can replace the tubes. On newer cars I am not so sure.

 

[joegr]

Sounds like they are saying the raditor isn't flowing correctly. Maybe some of the tubes on it are clogged and are keeping it from flowing correctly? That would my guess. On older cars you can replace the tubes. On newer cars I am not so sure.

Air getting sucked into the cooling system blocks flow. I don't see any reason presented yet to doubt their diagnosis. I don't really know anything about the cooling system on these cars yet, but I do know that on Jaguars, the plastic parts develop micro cracks that let air in, but do not let coolant out. The air blocks the flow and owners and shops that are not aware of this problem end up diagnosing it as failed head gaskets, when the actual problem is much, much cheaper to fix.

 

[johnny1593]

Air getting sucked into the cooling system blocks flow. I don't see any reason presented yet to doubt their diagnosis. I don't really know anything about the cooling system on these cars yet, but I do know that on Jaguars, the plastic parts develop micro cracks that let air in, but do not let coolant out. The air blocks the flow and owners and shops that are not aware of this problem end up diagnosing it as failed head gaskets, when the actual problem is much, much cheaper to fix.

It sounds like the same part the mechanic was explaining to me. How do you fix that problem with a Jaguar?

 

[joegr]

...How do you fix that problem with a Jaguar?

Replace 100% of the plastic cooling system parts, all at the same time.

 

[toxicavenger70]

Air getting sucked into the cooling system blocks flow. I don't see any reason presented yet to doubt their diagnosis. I don't really know anything about the cooling system on these cars yet, but I do know that on Jaguars, the plastic parts develop micro cracks that let air in, but do not let coolant out. The air blocks the flow and owners and shops that are not aware of this problem end up diagnosing it as failed head gaskets, when the actual problem is much, much cheaper to fix.

It is not a sealed system that has to be burped. I did not doubt their diagnosis, I was trying to explain it the way I interpreted the comments posted by the poster.

 

[joegr]

Mis-post