Runnin' a touch warm...

[garumn]

Howdy, all - I hope everyone had a great and safe summer! 

Question for all the gearheads out there (trust me when I say that I am NOT one of these chosen few!):  I ran all summer and, well, since March of 09 with my 09 X250 with ZERO issues.  She has 18k miles on her, now, and I do pretty much monkey maintenance to her.  By that, I mean the type of maintenance a monkey can do: change the oil, gear oil and wash her!!    I know golf and math, but engines are a foreign concept to me...  For bigger stuff, I take her to the dealer here in Phoenix, where he does everything recommended to her to keep her smooth.  Ahem, excuse me - I'll get to the point...  Sorry... 

I noticed today riding in to work at 4:00 this morning, that I was running just a TOUCH warm, and again coming home this afternoon at 5:00pm.  This is mostly at 55-60mph or so, with side streets at 30-40 over about 25 total minutes.  By "warm," I mean that prior to notice, the temp guage NEVER went above 50%, but today it crept over the mark both to and from work.

Drum roll, please...

Should I be concerned?

Thanks in advance to all!

[Hoolander2]

Yes, I would be concerned if I were you.  I assume you checked the level in your overflow tank?  It may be nothing too serious YET, but I think that can only get worse.  These cooling systems should be very steady.   

I'd check the coolant in the overflow tank for signs of discoloration, foam, or sludge -- as in oil getting in the coolant -- as in blown head gasket.

Could also be the thermostat going bad.

How long since your dealer completely drained your cooling system and refilled with fresh?  That should really be done every two years or so.

[ChandlerScoot]

I too live in Phoenix (Chandler) and the temps outside were very cool. I would be concerned about it just knowing the fact that the air temps were in the 70's