95 sidekick weird overheating problem

[jtgh]

150 miles, ouch ! (critical data point !)

in your case get a good thermometer .
I have a digital meat therm. it was $3 a at dept. store, dead accurate too, I tested it.
on my link I show how to check temps.


how sure are you , that it has overheating.? (signs?)

i see many people on many forums chasing heat when there is none.
do you have more proof of overheating besides that guage, any at all.?

it does not take any more tools than a thermometer to check it.

this is what I do. ( did this first time in trade auto class 1965)
cool engine.
cap off,
thermometer in to liquid of top tank ( it is full right? )
let car idle until you see dash guage say something you dont like ? 15min max ?
then look at real therm. is it over 200F?

ignore water expansion and resultant spillage, that is normal.
but do stop if you see any signs of gassing out filler neck, bad headgasket or worse.
just this looking part for gas is a very valuable trouble shooting aid, see why?

people fixed cars long before there were computers or IR guns.
and this is what they taught in school.

with the cap off the boing point will drop.
so be sure of your antrifreeeze mix AND it is also anti boil, is mixed to at least 50% be for doing this test. If it is mixed properly the car will no boil over , or the car coolant system is bad.

that clutch fan is useless in January in S. Dakota, do you not agree?


keep in mind all coolant mixed expand when hot and this is normal.
let it dribble out.

I am sure you or some one has an accurate thermometer, if you are unsure of the accuracy the put it in a pot of water and boil the water , and mark the 212 F degr. point , water is great for checking the 212 point,
unless you are are at hight altitude, are you. ?

PS: if you knew what was inside the dash guage and what a piece of garbage it is , you would understand my questioning.
it is junk. ( its a current heating device that changes character with age, it is not a real meter , ah but they are cheap)