Sailingsenses
Member
- :
- Mazda, Protege5, Stock, 2002
Hi there.
2002 Mazda Protege5
300,545 Miles!
I could use some tips...IF you have the time and desire.
Even when it was still well under 200K, the car has never like uphill climbs--but it has also never over-heated either. (Sidenote: I have a lot of problems getting the car to climb if the hill is steep enough. Compression was confirmed as factory specs).
Last weekend, we went camping and the site was (steep) uphill for a good 3 miles. On a particularly steep hill, it would not move almost at all and it began to overheat a bit. I immediately noticed the Temperature Gauge needle climbing, turned off the A/C, pulled over, and let it idle for some time; the needle dropped back to center VERY fast, which I think is a good sign.
By the time I reached the top, the coolant reservoir began spitting out coolant out of that little cap spout. I replaced some of it with pre-mixed coolant. Every time I made the hill climb, I made sure the A/C was off; this seems to help in the sense that the Temperature Gauge did not move from center. It only did that the first time, when I left the A/C on during the first climb on a warm/hot day.
A week+ goes by since camping, we have had some very hot temps, but avoid A/C because it doesn't work well anyhow. Today, it has been a cool day, 0% uphill steep or mild grade climbing, and a *very* short distance driven compared to our usual--and the darn coolant started to sputter out of the reservoir again. The Temp Gauge never climbed.
So, here's the deal:
NEW radiator, fluid, and cap on 9-Jun-2012.
I just bought a thermostat and gasket, but I don't know if it will resolve this issue. I was told to start there, as it's cheap enough and could benefit from this general maintenance item anyhow.
1.) Why would that camping trip kick off this problem? I HAVE smelled coolant on occasion, but never saw a leak. It just smells like hot coolant (sweet and caustic) on occasion, especially when it's hot out and I park (but not during driving).
2.) If it was the head gasket, what would I smell? I was told it would have a distinctive smell.
3.) Should I replace the radiator cap even though it looks very new and was installed 9-Jun-2012?
4.) When should the Cooling Fan kick on? I turned on the A/C to test it and it did not come on. I *only* waited approximately 2 mins, though and I was parked. Maybe it's not supposed to come on for a while or until a certain temp is reached?
5.) What do I need to consider when replacing the thermostat? I heard about air pockets and such, and would want to avoid problems.
6.) Water pump? Water pump and full timing belt service done on 3-Jun-2013.
Although my main concern is solving the coolant/temperature issue, I am also wondering:
1.) What would cause a car to not be able to handle steep uphill climbs? (I have a new catalytic converter, O2 sensors, cleaned MAF sensor, clean air filter, etc.). I've been told that this can't be resolved, and that the car is simply too old to handle such steep hills. As mentioned, the compression testing yielded "factory results". Any other ideas? Can it be resolved?
2.) Been having some fan clicking at certain temperatures when A/C is running. What to do?
3.) The A/C has never been serviced. Should I bother on a car this old? If I could even get a 25-30% improvement, it would be nice to have on warmer days.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME IN ADVANCE!
- Sailingsenses
2002 Mazda Protege5
300,545 Miles!
I could use some tips...IF you have the time and desire.
Even when it was still well under 200K, the car has never like uphill climbs--but it has also never over-heated either. (Sidenote: I have a lot of problems getting the car to climb if the hill is steep enough. Compression was confirmed as factory specs).
Last weekend, we went camping and the site was (steep) uphill for a good 3 miles. On a particularly steep hill, it would not move almost at all and it began to overheat a bit. I immediately noticed the Temperature Gauge needle climbing, turned off the A/C, pulled over, and let it idle for some time; the needle dropped back to center VERY fast, which I think is a good sign.
By the time I reached the top, the coolant reservoir began spitting out coolant out of that little cap spout. I replaced some of it with pre-mixed coolant. Every time I made the hill climb, I made sure the A/C was off; this seems to help in the sense that the Temperature Gauge did not move from center. It only did that the first time, when I left the A/C on during the first climb on a warm/hot day.
A week+ goes by since camping, we have had some very hot temps, but avoid A/C because it doesn't work well anyhow. Today, it has been a cool day, 0% uphill steep or mild grade climbing, and a *very* short distance driven compared to our usual--and the darn coolant started to sputter out of the reservoir again. The Temp Gauge never climbed.
So, here's the deal:
NEW radiator, fluid, and cap on 9-Jun-2012.
I just bought a thermostat and gasket, but I don't know if it will resolve this issue. I was told to start there, as it's cheap enough and could benefit from this general maintenance item anyhow.
1.) Why would that camping trip kick off this problem? I HAVE smelled coolant on occasion, but never saw a leak. It just smells like hot coolant (sweet and caustic) on occasion, especially when it's hot out and I park (but not during driving).
2.) If it was the head gasket, what would I smell? I was told it would have a distinctive smell.
3.) Should I replace the radiator cap even though it looks very new and was installed 9-Jun-2012?
4.) When should the Cooling Fan kick on? I turned on the A/C to test it and it did not come on. I *only* waited approximately 2 mins, though and I was parked. Maybe it's not supposed to come on for a while or until a certain temp is reached?
5.) What do I need to consider when replacing the thermostat? I heard about air pockets and such, and would want to avoid problems.
6.) Water pump? Water pump and full timing belt service done on 3-Jun-2013.
Although my main concern is solving the coolant/temperature issue, I am also wondering:
1.) What would cause a car to not be able to handle steep uphill climbs? (I have a new catalytic converter, O2 sensors, cleaned MAF sensor, clean air filter, etc.). I've been told that this can't be resolved, and that the car is simply too old to handle such steep hills. As mentioned, the compression testing yielded "factory results". Any other ideas? Can it be resolved?
2.) Been having some fan clicking at certain temperatures when A/C is running. What to do?
3.) The A/C has never been serviced. Should I bother on a car this old? If I could even get a 25-30% improvement, it would be nice to have on warmer days.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME IN ADVANCE!
- Sailingsenses
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