I have an 03 viii with about 143k on it. I don't drive it that often but I noticed recently it was running hot. I was driving kinda fast/aggressive testing the boost at about 19/20psi around 100mph after a recent licp install couple weeks ago. It seemed to go close to the h later the same day under normal conditions 65mph bout 3k rpm it was just a click above the halfway point on temp gauge. It varied from about 5/8 between the c and h and about 11/16 not sure where normal is for everyone else. Please excuse my lack knowledge I haven't had the car that long. The radiator is full of coolant no steaming or bubbling. Mostly just trying to gauge if its overheating or if this is normal range. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

Temp gauge in my evo has never even gone to half way. Always sits a couple clicks below.

I'd say you have an issue sir. Could be thermostat, headgasket, etc...

 

I've never had this problem with my VIII. Does your radiator fan work?....whats the maintenance history on it? ....I'd look closely at or replace the thermostat and do a radiator flush and see if problems persists. GL.

 

+1, mine never goes past halfway either.

 

same as above, never goes past half way.

you might wanna lay off the WOT for now until u figure it out. has it happened before? or just happened?

did you check for air in the coolant system, if theres radiator fluid, if the fan is even coming on?

 

Sounds like you have yourself a problem.

The fan does nothing when you are moving. It is only necessary when you are sitting still. If your car was overheating while at idle, then I would worry about the fan.

First thing you should check is your fluids. Drain the radiator and see if there is oil in it. This means blown head gasket. Also, drain your oil. If it has coolant in it, this means blown head gasket. It will be very obvious if this is the problem.

If the fluids look OK, try a flow check on the radiator. Just put a hose in the top part and see how easily the fluid flows out the bottom. There should be little to no resistance. If it flows well, your radiator is OK.

Last thing to check is the thermostat. You are just going to have to change it out with a new one. If a new thermostat doesn't fix it, keep reading.

Now you can do a compression test on each cylinder. If one or two of them are lower than the rest, it is probably a blown head gasket. Time to take off the head and look at it.

Story time!
We had a problem just like this at Evolution Dynamics last week. Evolution Dynamics swapped in a 2.4L crate motor and installed a forward facing ETS V-band kit (most awesome thing ever!) with a half radiator. Car overheated almost immediately after a hard pull.
We systematically went through all the things I outlined above. Made it to the compression test and found that cylinders 3 & 4 were 40psi below 1 & 2. Off came the head and the gasket was blown.

 

This guy is pretty much on point. If you want to test the thermostat before going out and buying one try this.

Take the thermostat out and fill an old pot with room temperature tap water. Inspect the thermostat so you know what it looks like when it's closed. Put the thermostat in the water with the part of the housing that opens facing up so you can see it move if at all. Then put the pot over the stove until the water reaches around ~185 degrees Fahrenheit (Thats around when the thermostat opens.) Pull the pot off so it stop bubbling and look at the thermostat. If it's still closed then you have a bad thermostat.

 

I had a 98 GSX that would overheat and blow all the antifreeze, turned out to be a pin hole in one of the hoses.
I went through all the steps listed above, drove me nuts until I found the pin hole in the rad hose.......

 

I did a rad flush and got the napa tstat no mitsu dealer near me and made it to willows today running nice and cool. Thanks for all the responses. 3 hour trip plus two sessions today so far no problems.

 

Awesome, glad to hear you fixed your issue.

 

Hey Todd you are a life saver