My car overheats, the temp gauge goes up and down???

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but my temp gauge goes up and down, any reason why? It goes up soon after I start the car, but then usually goes down as I drive. My steering got really stiff too, like the power steering was going out. I just got the car and don't know a whole lot about it, any ideas?

Radiator? Thermostat? Sounds more like the radiator though.

[Spoon]

My 626 used to do that. I replaced the thermostat with one that opens up quicker 160 degrees I think. That solved the problem.

Also, is your electric fan kicking in?

[anarchyx34]

Sounds like you either have air in the cooling system, or a blown head gasket. Lets hope it's the first one. When the car's cool/cold, open the radiator cap and make sure it's full.

I think it's the thermostat.
Mine is also broken, when cold outside, its stays low.
That is when I'm driving at constant speed.

Regards,
Barry

Hey thanks for all the comments, I just got the car back and here's what they said: The power steering belt broke, which also controls the water pump. The reason it was going up and down was the belt slipping. thanks for all the help!!!!

[TexasMX6GT]

Glad for you that it turned out to be something easy.

[Spoon]

Good thing you caught it in time or you could have blown your head gasket or cracker your head. Thats what happened to my 88 cougar. Blew the head gasket. That took weeks to fix in a garage when i had no time to do it.

[anarchyx34]

Power steering belt? WRONG! The water pump is driven by the timing belt, and if that broke the car wouldnt run at all. Mechanics are really, really stupid...

[Pyro]

hey 93LSMX6 do you have a "93" MX6 as in a second gen? You know this is a 1st gen room right (not that we mind) Anarchy I don't know sec. gen but maybe their cars steering belts are the same as a water pump? Don't know I just think that he has a second gen 6.

[Spoon]

I dunno, but my 2.0 I4 has a waterpump driven by the power steering/alternator belt.

all the 2.2 is, is the 2.0 l just slightly bigger, thats why I am here, because many of the parts are very similiar.


So most likely the 2.2 has the same setup (it has the same belts (timing and alternator) timing, and many other parts.

[hurddawg]

the 87 2.0L and 93 2.0L are different, almost nothing interchanges. the 93 is DOHC, meanwhile your 2.0L is probably SOHC and 2-valves per cylinder.

The 88 up engines' waterpump is driven off the timing belt. Should give ya a little hint.

The 88-92 2.2L is similar to the 92 prior motors because the motors are of the same family. The FE series engines (or F if you prefer). The 93 up are FS series engines (smaller spacing between cylinders).

[jiffy6969]

To clarify any confusion, the 1st gens are definetly the 2.2L which has a waterpump ran by the timing belt. The timing belt is not visable until you remove the housing on the passenger side of the motor, which has the A/C, Alternator, PowerSteering pump, and maybe a smog pump. Those belts are completely different from the timing belt, and are easy to change.

Now, since your name is 93lsmx6, LS means you should have the 6 cylinder. I know nothing of them, but you are lucky if your waterpump is run off of an external belt--I had to pay $400 or $500 to have my timing belt and water pump replaced on my 2.2L, External water pumps are much easier to replace--usually.

[Spoon]

You are right about a few things:
1. No engine parts are interchangeable. On either 2.0
2. Mine is a SOHC 2 vpc
3. But the 2.2 is basically the 2.0 bored out with a new intake, exhaust, ecu, and many other components. I can bore mine out to a 2.2 but I don't care to do so. Because the 3rd gen 626 models are horrible.

One thing we all can agree on

MAZDA RULES!

[smachan]

Originally posted by jiffy6969
I had to pay $400 or $500 to have my timing belt and water pump replaced on my 2.2L