ENGINE OVERHEATING
Problem - While driving, the temperature gets to 90 degrees or a bit more. When idling it goes to 100 degrees. What should I do?
Possibility 1 - Changing the thermostat is a positive move. Won't hurt even if not the problem.
Possibility 2 - Check coolant levels and bleed cooling system to make sure there is no air in it.
Possibility 3 - Check all connections and grounds in the dash. They can make gauges act erratically.
Possibility 4 - Make sure fans are running and are connected properly. The connections can get corroded and lose connection. The fans get unplugged during bumper removal or work at the rear of vehicle. The fans often stay unplugged due to forgetfulness.
Possibility 5 - I'm thinking fans right now, because when you're driving and air is going by it's OK, but when you idle she is not getting air. I have heard some people say it's OK to hit 100, as long as it pulls back down to 90. I have an early car and had some issues, but now even in hot Florida sun, she never goes over 90.
You have two radiator fans. One will always come on when you turn on the air condition, regardless of water temp (don't quote me, but I think it's the left one). If the air conditioning is off, the other fan will come on first to cool the motor, then if it is not enough cooling, the second fan will come on to assist.
Try this method. Start the car and turn the heater on to max so the air conditioning is off. Let the car idle, might take 10 minutes and stand at the back of the car to see which fans come on and look at the temp gauge to record what temp each on came on at. You can hear and feel them when they come on. They suck enough wind to suck up a small animal.
Here's what I'm thinking. The a/c radiator fan is controlled by 2 sensors. One if the a/c is on and the other based on water temp. I think you may have a bad sensor. It is waiting too long to kick on the fan. Instead of coming on, say at 95, it waits till you hit 100 to come on. But again, I've heard people say 100 is OK, as long as the fan comes on and pulls the temp down to 90.
Check the fans first to see if in fact they are both coming on.
If the fans come on, then change the thermostat. Very easy and cheap. Make sure you bleed the system afterwards.
Possibility 6 - If your fans come on, then you need to follow the coolant pipes. There are hex head screws mounted (one on each side) on them or on a smaller tube coming off them. I still think that's your problem. Definitely 95 degrees is not too hot. You need to bleed the air valves.
Possibility 7 - How's the coolant level? Check it and make sure it is not leaking out. If the coolant keeps going down it may and I say "may" be a head gasket. Early cars had issues with head gaskets from the factory, but I don't think this is the case here.
Possibility 8 - This only applies to when driving but many people leave their handbrake on. Make sure your handbrake is released/not on.
Possibility 9 - The radiator fans have been known to fail. Luckily they are not expensive.
Problem - While driving, the temperature gets to 90 degrees or a bit more. When idling it goes to 100 degrees. What should I do?
Possibility 1 - Changing the thermostat is a positive move. Won't hurt even if not the problem.
Possibility 2 - Check coolant levels and bleed cooling system to make sure there is no air in it.
Possibility 3 - Check all connections and grounds in the dash. They can make gauges act erratically.
Possibility 4 - Make sure fans are running and are connected properly. The connections can get corroded and lose connection. The fans get unplugged during bumper removal or work at the rear of vehicle. The fans often stay unplugged due to forgetfulness.
Possibility 5 - I'm thinking fans right now, because when you're driving and air is going by it's OK, but when you idle she is not getting air. I have heard some people say it's OK to hit 100, as long as it pulls back down to 90. I have an early car and had some issues, but now even in hot Florida sun, she never goes over 90.
You have two radiator fans. One will always come on when you turn on the air condition, regardless of water temp (don't quote me, but I think it's the left one). If the air conditioning is off, the other fan will come on first to cool the motor, then if it is not enough cooling, the second fan will come on to assist.
Try this method. Start the car and turn the heater on to max so the air conditioning is off. Let the car idle, might take 10 minutes and stand at the back of the car to see which fans come on and look at the temp gauge to record what temp each on came on at. You can hear and feel them when they come on. They suck enough wind to suck up a small animal.
Here's what I'm thinking. The a/c radiator fan is controlled by 2 sensors. One if the a/c is on and the other based on water temp. I think you may have a bad sensor. It is waiting too long to kick on the fan. Instead of coming on, say at 95, it waits till you hit 100 to come on. But again, I've heard people say 100 is OK, as long as the fan comes on and pulls the temp down to 90.
Check the fans first to see if in fact they are both coming on.
If the fans come on, then change the thermostat. Very easy and cheap. Make sure you bleed the system afterwards.
Possibility 6 - If your fans come on, then you need to follow the coolant pipes. There are hex head screws mounted (one on each side) on them or on a smaller tube coming off them. I still think that's your problem. Definitely 95 degrees is not too hot. You need to bleed the air valves.
Possibility 7 - How's the coolant level? Check it and make sure it is not leaking out. If the coolant keeps going down it may and I say "may" be a head gasket. Early cars had issues with head gaskets from the factory, but I don't think this is the case here.
Possibility 8 - This only applies to when driving but many people leave their handbrake on. Make sure your handbrake is released/not on.
Possibility 9 - The radiator fans have been known to fail. Luckily they are not expensive.
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