technical question about overheating

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Hi all;

I got a bit of a question to do with overheating; My car when I got it; had its radiator replaced with an equivalent unit; but not for my make and model or car;
I drive a 2010 kia picanto and my radiator is from an i10; not sure what model......

anyway this car got no temp gauge and only got a light; at what point will the light come on and warn me to pull over and let it cool down?
or will the light come on just before the engine about to seize up and be ruined forever.......

the reason I ask this is I have a way to see exactly what temp my engine coolant is......
a torque app and ELM 327 scanner hooked up and able to see while driving;

I noticed; right now when I drive on the freeway; temp sits at 89-95 Celsius and varies considerably between those; when Im in traffic it climbs and gets to 100 and keeps going until the fan switches on and then it drops to about 96; but I start getting worried when it gets to 100; is that normal?

or can it get a lot hotter and the sensor is misleading me? and Im being paranoid for no reason.....

is there someplace I can check on the net to see what the range of safe operation is?so I Can set the torque app alarms correctly?

 

[ToxicBunny]

100 is probably quite normal for your car if you ask me... and yes, it can get quite a lot hotter.

 

[SpenK]

Optimal average water temp is around 86 degrees on most cars.
Anything towards 95-100 Degrees is dangerous because this is where water turns to steam creating pressure in which will blow your head gasket or worse seize the engine.
The addition of Coolant to your cooling system will protect the engine from corrosion in the water jackets/galleries and also up the temperature of which the fluid in the cooling system will boil.
Temperature gauges in the cooling system rarely mis read. They seem to either work spot on or just not work.

A temporary solution would to wire the current fan (presuming electric) to accessories on the ignition so that fan is always working when the ignition is on.

 

[PhireSide]

100 is probably quite normal for your car if you ask me... and yes, it can get quite a lot hotter.

Indeed. Due to the coolant and the pressurized system, it can go quite a bit higher before it starts to boil (which is bad as it can cause air pockets in the coolant channels, which become steam hotspots and can warp your cylinder head etc.).

That seems quite hot though. My i30 (1.6 petrol) hovers around 86 - 89 while I am moving and the hottest I have seen while stuck in traffic was 99 degrees, also with an OBD reader. I have also not heard my fan come on ever, strangely enough. I guess due to the engine design yours must have a lot less coolant to go around, thus it heats up pretty quick?

Are you sure there isn't perhaps an airlock in your coolant system?

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Optimal average water temp is around 86 degrees on most cars.
Anything towards 95-100 Degrees is dangerous because this is where water turns to steam creating pressure in which will blow your head gasket or worse seize the engine.
The addition of Coolant to your cooling system will protect the engine from corrosion in the water jackets/galleries and also up the temperature of which the fluid in the cooling system will boil.
Temperature gauges in the cooling system rarely mis read. They seem to either work spot on or just not work.

A temporary solution would to wire the current fan (presuming electric) to accessories on the ignition so that fan is always working when the ignition is on.

That was true in the 80's not on a modern car. It'll be a pressurized system so 100 is nothing to worry about.

 

[SpenK]

My apologies only have experience with cars from that exact era you mentioned.
Toyota Celicas, Supra, Ae86, Datsuns 260z etc.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

My apologies only have experience with cars from that exact era you mentioned.
Toyota Celicas, Supra, Ae86, Datsuns 260z etc.

Not a problem new cars cooling systems are pressurised so can go way past 100 before boiling.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Indeed. Due to the coolant and the pressurized system, it can go quite a bit higher before it starts to boil (which is bad as it can cause air pockets in the coolant channels, which become steam hotspots and can warp your cylinder head etc.).

That seems quite hot though. My i30 (1.6 petrol) hovers around 86 - 89 while I am moving and the hottest I have seen while stuck in traffic was 99 degrees, also with an OBD reader. I have also not heard my fan come on ever, strangely enough. I guess due to the engine design yours must have a lot less coolant to go around, thus it heats up pretty quick?

Are you sure there isn't perhaps an airlock in your coolant system?

how would I know or check if there is an airlock in the system? radiator flush?

yip the engine is smaller than a 1.6, its a 1.1 but it gets pretty hot especially in this weather in JHB right now;
not sure if to be worried; and not sure if the cooling fan is the right size for my car? like i mentioned its from an i10

and its only 1 even though there is space for 2 easily; although mine dosnt got an AC on it; so Im not sure....

where would i pick up the technical specs for the cooling range and safety?

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

A temporary solution would to wire the current fan (presuming electric) to accessories on the ignition so that fan is always working when the ignition is on.

dosent that waste fuel? had this same story once with my old sentra and remember the fuel consumption spiked when the fans were always running.....

 

[SpenK]

Its only has electrical pull so it shouldn't consume more fuel. Your alternater should be producing around 14v's
more then enough to charge battery and run fans and whatnot. Just dont leave car ignition on because you will be pushing it in 2nd within minutes.

Can also have a switch between Accessories and Fans so you can choose when to put them on.
A few of my race cars were done this way and worked perfectly.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Its only has electrical pull so it shouldn't consume more fuel. Your alternater should be producing around 14v's
more then enough to charge battery and run fans and whatnot. Just dont leave car ignition on because you will be pushing it in 2nd within minutes.

Can also have a switch between Accessories and Fans so you can choose when to put them on.
A few of my race cars were done this way and worked perfectly.

nice idea; although that means the thermostat that runs the fans is not working properly; and it is in my case coming on; I can definitely feel it;
and I remember quite well with my sentra when the thermostat was broken I wired it exactly that way and it drank a lot of fuel that way;

although Im not sure anymore as my sentra was carburetor and my picanto is fuel injected....

 

[SpenK]

But in saying that these were stripped out race cars. Not a newish 2010 Kia.
I suggest if the car is in fact running hot getting it checked out by a specialist.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Its only has electrical pull so it shouldn't consume more fuel..

And where does this electrical energy come from? Fairies? Of course it will use more fuel, as well as run less efficiently because engine will be too cool.

Dude, there's nothing wrong with your car, if it only spikes to 100 you've nothing to worry about in the slightest. Embarking on these "suggestions" because you think it's overheating when it's not is gonna cost you money and quite possibly damage something.

 

[P924]

And where does this electrical energy come from? Fairies? Of course it will use more fuel, as well as run less efficiently because engine will be too cool.

Dude, there's nothing wrong with your car, if it only spikes to 100 you've nothing to worry about in the slightest. Embarking on these "suggestions" because you think it's overheating when it's not is gonna cost you money and quite possibly damage something.

+1000

 

[Beachless]

And where does this electrical energy come from? Fairies? Of course it will use more fuel, as well as run less efficiently because engine will be too cool.

Dude, there's nothing wrong with your car, if it only spikes to 100 you've nothing to worry about in the slightest. Embarking on these "suggestions" because you think it's overheating when it's not is gonna cost you money and quite possibly damage something.

Ha Ha


Mine goes past the 90deg mark all the time when I am stuck in traffic during summer and have the aircon on I would'nt worry unless it starts getting close to 120deg or so which means you are in trouble.

 

[Archer]

And where does this electrical energy come from? Fairies? Of course it will use more fuel, as well as run less efficiently because engine will be too cool.

Dude, there's nothing wrong with your car, if it only spikes to 100 you've nothing to worry about in the slightest. Embarking on these "suggestions" because you think it's overheating when it's not is gonna cost you money and quite possibly damage something.

Dem fairies, magical stuff Maybe we should send some to Eishkom

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

And where does this electrical energy come from? Fairies? Of course it will use more fuel, as well as run less efficiently because engine will be too cool.

Dude, there's nothing wrong with your car, if it only spikes to 100 you've nothing to worry about in the slightest. Embarking on these "suggestions" because you think it's overheating when it's not is gonna cost you money and quite possibly damage something.

what Im also thinking; runs perfectly; just a bit worried as there's no way to know if the car is actually overheating;
only got a light, not a proper gauge that you can see going up slowly...
(when does it actually come on anyway? before the engine is gonna seize up or before enough for you to stop in time?)

if I didnt have the OBD scanner and app on my phone probably wodnt even know about this;

my question is where would you find such information on the net so I can satisfy myself its within normal temp for this car.....

 

[PhireSide]

how would I know or check if there is an airlock in the system? radiator flush?

yip the engine is smaller than a 1.6, its a 1.1 but it gets pretty hot especially in this weather in JHB right now;
not sure if to be worried; and not sure if the cooling fan is the right size for my car? like i mentioned its from an i10

and its only 1 even though there is space for 2 easily; although mine dosnt got an AC on it; so Im not sure....

where would i pick up the technical specs for the cooling range and safety?

The way I used to check for airlocks on my old bakkie was to run it with the radiator cap off and warm it up until the water in the radiator stops bubbling once the thermostat opens. I'd have to add a little water every now and then as it would (presumably) work it's way through the system filling in all the voids. Not sure if it works this way on modern cars, though...

The radiator AFAIK should be a single piece, and the fan would probably not be a part of the radiator assembly unless that was also replaced? So I don't think the fan is too small for the car.

As for the technical specs, I'd hop onto the Kia forums and ask around there. You can also order a workshop manual but they can end up being very pricey unless you intend to keep the car for quite a few years.

I'd not worry too much about it - drive it and have fun

Also, why did they replace the radiator in the first place? That might give us info to figure out why it was overheating in the first place

 

[Beachless]

When did you get the repairs done by the way? You are supposed to replace the radiator fluid every 2 years which most people dont.

Maybe a radiator flush and new fluid is a good idea just to be safe.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

The way I used to check for airlocks on my old bakkie was to run it with the radiator cap off and warm it up until the water in the radiator stops bubbling once the thermostat opens. I'd have to add a little water every now and then as it would (presumably) work it's way through the system filling in all the voids. Not sure if it works this way on modern cars, though...

The radiator AFAIK should be a single piece, and the fan would probably not be a part of the radiator assembly unless that was also replaced? So I don't think the fan is too small for the car.

As for the technical specs, I'd hop onto the Kia forums and ask around there. You can also order a workshop manual but they can end up being very pricey unless you intend to keep the car for quite a few years.

I'd not worry too much about it - drive it and have fun

Also, why did they replace the radiator in the first place? That might give us info to figure out why it was overheating in the first place

when we got the car big holes in the water bottle; mechie I think covered the whole bottle with black plastic as its difficult to tell the level inside
also he mentioned he didnt find a picanto fan; so he used one from an i10; not sure if its such a great idea......
not entirely sure what he replaced; all I know is the car drives great ; but its worrying not knowing if its even overheating....

the fan on mine is a separate piece on top of the radiator; and its quite small for the engine size; at least thats what it looks like to me....
not actually sure; if its overheating; thats why I posted; at what point will the light (usually) come on with these small cars?

and does it indicate the engine has seized up or you still got time to stop and let it cool down? never understood what does it mean exactly.
would be useful to know what temp its set to. and anybody else can confirm its normal at that temp and not overheating....