Overheating MS3

[mordant80]

So the last few days I've noticed the radiator fan always running when I shut off the car, didn't really think much of it. But today I was driving around 30mph and noticed the fan running, I thought it a little odd since there should have been ample air at 30mph. Then I notice the temp gauge seems just slightly higher than what i'm used to. Get on it a lil bit goin up a hill and sure enough the temp gauge starts a climbin so I take it easy and get home with it since the temp gauge seems to only really go up if you romp on it a lil.

So I'm calling the dealer in the morning and scheduling a time to bring it to them. The car only has 7k miles on it but I figured I'd run it by everyone and see what yall thought the problem might be. My first thought is the thermostat (I guess cars still have these, lol) I'll let everyone know what the dealer says when I get it back.

 

[tripledigits]

The temp gauge, like many other cars, will show dead center over a "normal" range of temperatures. If the gauge is going over the center mark, you may have an issue. You could get a code reader or ScanGauge type instrument and read what the temp actually is, and have a better idea of what's going on. If your fan's running after shutdown in hot outside temps, I wouldn't be concerned if there are no other indications.

 

[edrive73]

Did you check your antifreeze level?

 

[phantom6294]

So the last few days I've noticed the radiator fan always running when I shut off the car, didn't really think much of it.

That should pretty normal. Owner's manual mentions it and mine pretty frequently runs the fans after shutting off the car. I pretty frequently pop the hood when I get home to let the engine cool better -- if I've been particularly hard on it, I have two fans in the garage I have to help cool it off.

Of course, if the needle is moving above normal, that can't be good.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

Hmmm....I've never heard my fan running after I shut her down.
I'm gonna have to monitor this to see if this occurs.
Maybe I'm a wuss and not running her hard enough.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Yeah, the fan will run sometimes when the car is shut down. Normal.

To the OP: Since I've owned my car, I've never seen the guage fluctuate, not even a little. It's gets to about halfway (or slightly under ) and stays there. So yeah if yours is climbing something's up. Probably a faulty thermostat.

 

[mordant80]

Yea, the reason I think the fan is a little weird is because it's been 70 degrees here and I could hear it running while driving in nice cool air. Also it would sound like a friggin jet engine winding down when I shut it off. I noticed small fluctuations on the temp guage when I was running at 30mph. Then when I romped on it a bit, there was no doubt, the car's overheating. It made it to the H... I looked down and saw it and was like oh s***... yea, there's a problem. So I layed off and let it come back down. I only let it get up like that the one time and didn't let it stay like that.

 

[BlackCherry06]

Sounds like the thermostat isn't opening fully. Head to the dealership.

 

[mordant80]

Sounds like the thermostat isn't opening fully. Head to the dealership.

Yup, called them. Said they were backed up, but I could go ahead and bring it in about noon today (Thursday). At first they were like could you bring it in Tuesday? So I don't expect to see my car until the middle of next week. Sucks!

 

[RUMBLEFISH]

They should give you a loaner car.

 

[mordant80]

They should give you a loaner car.

Yea I'm sure the "should" but they didn't offer and my parents are on vacation so I'm borrowing my mothers car. No biggie.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Loaner program is standard on ALL mazda new cars. THey should have given you one no matter what if your car was an over nighter. Free to you! Call them and get your loaner. Maybe you can get a Chevy Malipoo poo to beat the crap out of for a couple of days.

 

[Bluesultan]

Loaner program is standard on ALL mazda new cars. THey should have given you one no matter what if your car was an over nighter. Free to you! Call them and get your loaner. Maybe you can get a Chevy Malipoo poo to beat the crap out of for a couple of days.

not any more. it ended with the 2006 models. 07's and on have no service loaner and less warranty coverage as well.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

What? That is strange. Then my dealership is giving me one on their own. My 04 mz3 had it, my 07 CX7 has been in twice and gotten a free loaner.

 

[MikeHTally]

I read another thread where a practically new MS3 was running warmer than it should. The 'stat was sticking closed. The cooling fan in mine runs pretty much every time I shut it off. I've only heard it running otherwise when it's really hot outside and I've been flogging it or the traffic was heavy.

 

[tiagotiago]

+1 It should be the thermostat, if coolant levels are normal and the radiator is in good shape.

My car will also leave the fan on sometimes after I shut her down, even if I'd been driving with cooling it down in mind. Doesn't usually do this if I let it idle for a while after parking it and I didn't work her out.

During normal city driving I can't really hear it, but since I have the AC on, and the compressor comes in every other while, I'd be surprised if it didn't turn itself on.

 

[mordant80]

I read another thread where a practically new MS3 was running warmer than it should. The 'stat was sticking closed. The cooling fan in mine runs pretty much every time I shut it off. I've only heard it running otherwise when it's really hot outside and I've been flogging it or the traffic was heavy.

Cool, I'm not the only one with a bad stat (I'm sure that's what's going on with mine) I think I remember mine running most the time when I shut it off, but it seemed MUCH louder the last few days. No exagaration, sounds like a jet engine winding down. And yea, thought it was a little strange when I starting hearing the fan running at a 30mph cruise in 70 degree weather when I haven't been romping it at all. Just confirmed it was weird in my head when I got on it after that and the temp went way up.

 

[Kain]

Danger To Manifold!

 

[mordant80]

So... wow, here's an update... I spoke with the dealer yesterday and they suspect that the car may have blown the head gasket, but they were going to do compression tests today to find out. Just spoke with them again and now they suspect that the head is cracked. The only symptom I saw when I took it in was the car overheated the one time. They're saying that possibly where it overheated it may have cracked the head. I still haven't heard anything about the actual cause of the car overheating. So what do you guys think? Wouldn't I have noticed something if the head was cracked? What would the car act like? The guy said he'd see about getting me in a rental tomorrow, so hopefully that pans out. I'm in shock about all this, i figured a simple thermostat replacement and I'd be on my way.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

WOW... That is huge. Well, at least with the crack they wont want to talk you into machining the head but do a full replacement. That is strange though. I would call them and ask them right away about why that would happen. If they forget about the why it will happen again!