My temp gauge is getting a bit higher then I like at idle, and goes back to normal once I get moving. I was getting a bit nervous at the drive through tonight not all the way to red but... Do you think it is the water pump? I just changed to coolant the other day and the expansion tank is at a good level.

Do you have a fan clutch going out, fan shroud is in place, radiator rodded out, checked the flow of water with the cap off (started from cold and allowed to warm up, not removing cap while warmed up!!)?

I have never had the shroud in place because of the body lift, gauge has always been in the middle. I guess it could be restriction someplace. When I drained the radiator the coolant seemed to be clean, if that means anything? How do I check the fan clutch? doesn't it just spin with the motor rpm's? Just last week It got pretty warm (not to the red) and I had a small leak in the radiator and was low. I put water in it to get home, I drained the radiator and I could not drain the motor so I used undiluted coolant in the amount of water that I had put in. So it should be mixed to the proper ratio, then topped it off with 50/50. Tested it after running it to temp and it was good for 20 below. Could it just be a bubble? I have heard of that happening after refilling the coolent. I am going to check the level tomorrow. However shouldn't the resivor be empty if that's the case?

To check a fan clutch...

When cold, it should spin freely. Then, get the engine to operating temperature and rev a good bit off idle, say 2500-3000 RPMs. Cut the engine off, the fan blades should stop with the engine. If it overruns, it are bad.

And, just because the coolant is clean, doesn't mean the innards are clean as well. Drain the system and flush with clear water. Get a good chemical flush from a reputable parts store. Follow its directions and see what comes out in the wash. And figure out how to get that shroud back on there. Should be just redrilling the holes...

Get your radiator repaired if it has a leak.

I forgot to mention that I repaired the leak. If I am low in coolant will it pull from the expansion tank? I confermed that I have flow by getting it to temp with the cap off looks like it's moving in there. I hope it was a pocket or something like that? Thanks for the help!

If it heats up while it's sitting still, you have an air circulation problem, and it's probably the fan clutch. Quit wishful thinking and find out. and replace the shroud. the fan won't pull squat even with a good clutch without the shroud...

Answer to first question, yes until you run out of coolant and then it will pull in air. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As for an air pocket, did you 'burp' (technical term) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> it after you refilled it with coolant? If not, you need to do that first.

Also, did you flush the radiator and cooling system out before refilling it? Mine was full of crud when I did it. Yours may be also restricting the amount of coolant and coolant flow thereby making your engine run hot.

Also, did you inspect the inside of your radiator before topping it off? You should. It should be relatively clean of mineral deposits. Mineral deposits = poor cooling ability since the coolant flow is less and the minerals can (possibly?) act as an insulator. If it's bad, you need to have the top and bottom tanks removed and the core rodded, or possibly even replaced. Whatever you do, don't replace the radiator with a poor aftermarket model that has cheapo plastic tanks.

IF HOT WHEN SITTING AND COOL WHILE MOVING YOU NEED TO CHECK FAN CLUTCH!!!! Seems you havn't aknowledged the 4-5 other people who said this.

WOW, calm down, You don't need to use CAPS and Exclamation marks with me!!! (Plus I only counted three clutch suggestions)I acknowledged it just fine thanks! The clutch is working, the reason I asked about the expansion tank is cause I was about 2L low and it was at a good level in the tank. Also I am sure the shroud helps, however I have been driving the truck for some time now with no issue, in fact up till now it was right in the middle or below slightly so although it's a good suggestion I know its not the problem and I will modify to fit soon.

Turns out first issue was the low level, due to a leak which I underestimated the amount of coolant that I was loosing. (Repaired) Second was the drain and refill of the radiator, I must have been a pocket because I topped it off once again and I have not encountered any other issues. The cleaning of the radiator is a very good suggestion too and I have not done that yet and will soon. Yes, I Burped it.(but I guess not well enough)

Despite the simplicity of the question here, This is not my first rodeo. I guess I should have been more clear, I guess. I was asking the vet's for common Mitsubishi issues to the symptoms. I was wondering if a water pump would give those symptoms but it seems to be fine now. I don't want to sound ungrateful to those of you that are helping. Thanks for all the suggestions! (I guess I was still under the impression that no question is a dumb question, My fault.)