GeilKyle2, thanks for the response previously about monitoring my CTS with the enviromental control system. I did what you suggested and here are the results. If you rememer, my problem is that when I idle for more than 10 minutes or so with the A/C running, the gauge starts to climb up 1 or 1.5 ticks. I haven't let it go further than that. The A/C fan is running as normal.

I turned on code 51 and watched the temp climb as the car warmed up. What was strange is that the analog gauge reached the middle while the CTS was still at about 84 degrees C. The gauge stopped and the CTS climbed to 90 degrees and stopped. I let it idle for 10 minutes and the gauge started to climb, but the CTS stayed at 90 the whole time. Finally I shut it down at 1 tick as my coolant was seeping out of a crack in my tank, but the temp was definately rising. Does this mean I have a bad CTS? and how would that affect anything if the thermostat is operating correctly. Just mixture I suppose.

Here's what I have ordered and plan to replace.

1. Medium temperature Afterrun switch. Kicks in at 93 degrees I believe. This is just for piece of mind, but I know it won't fix the problem.

2. Replace the thermostat with another 87 degree OEM. This is probably the problem in my opinion even though it is fairly new. Can you point me to a DIY. I don't know where this is.

3. Replace Coolant reservoir. It has some cracks that seep coolant when my temp goes above 1/2. This is a no brainer, but I'm just waiting for it to come in. I don't think this is the problem either because it doesn't leak until it overheats.

 

A leak in the system will let the temp rise. The system works off of pressure, so if you release the pressure, the temp will rise.

84-90 is normal.

If the CTS was bad, your car would not run properly & you would get really poor MPG.

 

I hope that's true. That would be great as the tank is only $54 and an easy replace.

 

By the way, where is the thermostat and how many hours to replace?

 

Thermostat is being all the timing belt components just off to the side of the water pump. Normally done with the timing belt your looking at atleast 6 hours or more if you've never done the job before.

 

Thanks, I'll def.. let the dealer replace that under their warranty if this doesn't fix the problem.

 

I replaced the tank and it still creeps up. It does it slower now, but still eventually gets to 1 tick before I shut it down. I guess I'll put in a lower temp afterrun switch and see if that helps. That will suck if it's the thermostat.