Running hot

2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER
18,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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VINOPONTIAC
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Car temperature gauge moves randomly from normal temperature to hot temperature. on slow speed or on idle temperature is hot, at high speed temperature goes to normal but is not all the time.
I did a physical check on the water pump and the water pump has rubber to rubber sound when rotating, is this normal or water pumps should spin very freely?
(No leaks) antifreeze level normal.
Sep 24, 2019 at 9:18 AM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

When the engine is running hot can you hear the electric fan running in the front of the car by the radiator? If not the fan motor can be out. here are two guides to help us get started fixing the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-electric-fan-motor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please run down these guides and report back.
Sep 25, 2019 at 12:50 PM
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VINOPONTIAC
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Thanks for the information, I will report back soon.
Sep 25, 2019 at 1:44 PM
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STRAILER
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Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
Sep 26, 2019 at 9:51 AM
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VINOPONTIAC
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I replaced the water pump last Saturday and so far the gauge has been staying at normal temperature...
Looks like the water pump was the problem
Oct 3, 2019 at 8:32 AM
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STRAILER
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Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
Oct 3, 2019 at 12:53 PM