94 Mazda Protege is overheating - in the last 3 weeks, I have had the clutch and water pump replaced.?

Question

I have also just had the timing belt replaced, and have had some other minor things repaired. Since picking it up from the mechanic's, it's been overheating - the heat gauge passes the halfway mark, and sometimes goes close to the top of the gauge. Why would it be overheating? Why more now than before? Could be the radiator or a leak in the cooling system?

Answer 1

Sounds like the water pump repair was not done properly...

Answer 2

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RE:
94 Mazda Protege is overheating - in the last 3 weeks, I have had the clutch and water pump replaced.?
I have also just had the timing belt replaced, and have had some other minor things repaired. Since picking it up from the mechanic's, it's been overheating - the heat gauge passes the halfway mark, and sometimes goes close to the top of the gauge. Why would it be overheating? Why more...

Answer 3

Just because it goes past the half way mark is not a cause for alarm. The heat gauge will rise till the thermostat opens, then the temp should drop.
About the time the thermostat opens the fan or fans should come on.
This should result in a drop of the temp Gauge.
If the engine is running and the Gauge is hot, you should be able to hear the fan/s on the radiator. Also when the A/C is on.
If the temp does not drop it maybe the fans are not working, this could be due to a bad sensor, or the fact that the mechanic did not hook them back up. It could be a bad relay.
I will stop this ramble and let you look at those things.

Answer 4

First, check coolant level in the radiator when the car is cool. Top off if necessary. Second, when car is hot (overheating) check to see if the cooling fan is operating (key must be on). If fan is not working, the fan sensor is on the thermostat housing where the top radiator hose is connected to the engine. On some models, if the wire is removed while key is on, the fan will come on. On other models, if the wire from the fan switch is grounded, the fan will come on. If neither work, the problem may be the fan relay switch. Chocolate malt foam under the oil filler cap could mean bad head gasket or cracked head, both very rare on this model. If car is OK around town, but overheats on highway, may be a plugged radiator, either externally or internal. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

First of all you need to establish the fact that it is overheating or just a faulty sending unit.Does it use or lose coolant that would support overheating,if the answer is no,then the possibility of a bad sensor makes sense,if it is loosing coolant then look for the obvious,possible loose hose clamp somewhere,other things to check,does the cooling fan work,is there air in the system,they need to be bled so no air is in the system after system has been opened up,these are a few suggestions hope it is of some help.

Answer 6

Does it only happen in traffic? Is radiator fan faulty.

Flush the radiator against blockages.
Check for head gasket problems (white goo in rocker box, oil in the water).
Replace thermostat (they are cheap).

Answer 7

if the car before doing all those things are working good and now is overheating im not sure about the other "minors thing you do on your car" but im pretty sure you have one of this things
check the radiator cap, hoses (they are supose to be hard not soft), thermostat, and check your sensors or is loose sensor cable

Answer 8

You might need to add coolent. Mine was overheating also and it was because I had a leak and barely any coolent left in Rad.

Answer 9

Sounds like your repair bills are getting potentially higher than a car payment. Maybe you should trade in your old car for a new one.

Answer 10

if you replaced the water pump then it must be teh thermostat.