swapped b series running hot

[ks_87]

Hey guys,

I'm driving a civic EK with a b18 swapped into it. It takes ages - somewhere between 5-10 minutes of normal driving for the coolant temp gauge to warm up to a stable operating temperature, but this temperature is slightly above the middle line on the gauge.

I always thought that the gauge's needle being over the middle line means that the car is overheating? I've had no issues with the car overheating, even on long trips though.

Any ideas on why the car is taking so long to warm up + the apparent high operating temperature?

[jks24]

well my temp guage takes its time to rise but that is because I need a new thermostat (my thermostat is stuck open) My needle doesnt go above the middle line though.

[bennjamin]

Firstly - replace your thermostat with a new item.

Next - are you reusing your ek radiator ?

[ks_87]

Hmm I'm not sure. Only recently bought the car with the swap already done. Any ways to identify which radiator it is?

[dinorider]

EK radiator is a half length item. B18 radiators are full length items that run the whole width of the space between the headlights.

[Limbo]

try bleeding the coolant first, then go for new thermostat

[ks_87]

Cheers for that. Yeah its the EK radiator. Half the length is radiator, other side taken up by the condenser for A/C.

The coolant was replaced when I bought the car and had it serviced, about 3000km ago.

It's been running like this since before the previous owner and he's tracked it a couple times. Do you think I would be able to keep running this setup?

[d15z1SUX]

i think it should be fine.

[dougie_504]

Just try the thermostat. I changed mine during my head build just because it's easier to get to lol

[ks_87]

should i still replace the thermostat?

[Lukey]

if ur car is taking that long to warm up yes

[ks_87]

ok, cheers for all the help guys!

[vinnY]

is it above the little logo at all?

[pablos8]

+1 to the thermo change, cheap fix

[ks_87]

is it above the little logo at all?

Yeh, it reaches just above the wiggly line (water level line i guess) on the logo.

It was in for some repairs to the body until just now, now the warm-up time is only like about 2-3 minutes of driving, but still doesn't overheat (still above the logo though), fluid levels are ok. Could be just the heat in perth.

[bennjamin]

Yeh, it reaches just above the wiggly line (water level line i guess) on the logo.

It was in for some repairs to the body until just now, now the warm-up time is only like about 2-3 minutes of driving, but still doesn't overheat (still above the logo though), fluid levels are ok. Could be just the heat in perth.



The very point of your thermostat and thermo fan - is to circulate coolant as need be. This means - that unless in EXTREME conditions ( heavy track use , driving in Hell etc ) that your coolant system...provided its sealed and running tip top will NEVER over heat. It will turn on the thermo fan and circulate coolant as need be. The hottest day in history isnt enough to over heat it.

[bennjamin]

Yeh, it reaches just above the wiggly line (water level line i guess) on the logo.

It was in for some repairs to the body until just now, now the warm-up time is only like about 2-3 minutes of driving, but still doesn't overheat (still above the logo though), fluid levels are ok. Could be just the heat in perth.



The very point of your thermostat and thermo fan - is to circulate coolant as need be. This means - that unless in EXTREME conditions ( heavy track use , driving in Hell etc ) that your coolant system...provided its sealed and running tip top will NEVER over heat. It will turn on the thermo fan and circulate coolant as need be. The hottest day in history isnt enough to over heat it.

[ks_87]

yeah, was trying to imply that the coolant is still circulating ok since its not overheating.

(sorry if i was ambiguous in last post, i meant the quicker warm up time could be due to the warm weather, not the fact that the temp reading is high)