Mitsubishi Repair: Temperature problems, water pump replacement, mitsubishi magna

Question
Hi,  I have a Mitsubishi magna executive 91 TR model and recently at times the temperature gauge has occasionally been higher than normal.  While i drive the car the temperature gauge is normal.  However, when i have driven the car and turned it off for a few minutes and started it again the temperature gauge is higher than normal.  After driving it for a minute it goes back down to normal.  The radiator feels quite hot, but it has always been full of coolant.  I have just replaced the radiator cap.  I was just wondering what you think? Bo

Answer
Bo: Gee this could be the starting of something. Or it could be nothing. I would take the car to a shop and have them check your thermostat to see if it is sticking, but also I would check the water pump belt to see if it might be slipping, but it could be that the water pump is getting weak and so it is showing up on the temp when you run the car. Ah the radiator would be hot, no matter because all that water that the water pump uses to cool the engine runs back though the radiator. Ok, the three things I think you should check would be the belt that runs the water pump as it could be bad or slipping, the water pump its self and the thermostat. I think I would stay with the thermostat and the belt as they are an easy fix; the water pump replacement will be costly. Sometimes when you check the water pump to see if it is going, you can see very small drops of water around the water pump or on it. That water would be green in color because of the coolant in it. Oh hey there is something else you should check, the coolant. Are you sure you have the right amount of coolant in the car? Hope this helps and God bless: Linda