Rep Power: 252

Hey all,

It's been a few years since I've been on but ever since I went into the Army a few years ago that took up most of my life and I had to stop modding the car.

Little reminder

2002 civic ex (1.7 l vtec)
87,000 miles
AEM sri
megan racing catback exhaust
megan racing headers
maintenance always performed on time since I've had the car for 5 years


Here is my problem,

When I was driving to go workout this morning I noticed that after only ten minutes of driving the temp gauge was up around 3/4 - now ever since I've had the car I've never seen it go above half even with the a/c on. So I turned the car off to let it cool down while I worked out. Got back in and drove it around with a/c on for 20 mins and the gauge was still reading half and the engine did not seem hot when I checked under the hood. Went into the drugstore to pick some things up got back in car and 2 mins later the gauge is up again. At this point car still doesn't seem hot but I take it to a trusted mechanic anyways.

I get there and the temp gauge is back to half so he revs it up and it does npot go up. He checks the temperature under the hood and everything is reading normal - he even drives it around with a/c and without and can't get the gauge to get hot again. brings the car back and after it idles the gauge goes back up - but still the engine temp is only reading 180 or so. The fans are both working and come on when a/c is turned on and also came on at 208 degrees (he reved it up to get engine warm) when the a/c was off.

My only guess at this point is that the thermostat is bad because the radiator was full so I'm figuring the car isn't overheating. I left the car at the shop to have the thermostat replaced - my only other thought is that worst case there could be some blockage in the engine?

Any thoughts or comments appreciated!

Thanks

Mike

 
Rep Power: 298

Could also ne the temp. sensor. is failing.