HELP! Why is my car overheating?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
From: Texas
HELP! Why is my car overheating?
1995 LT-1 Auto
Ok guys, here's the thing. I noticed recently that my temperature gauge right underneath the oil temp has started going deep into the 200's. All the other temp's (oil) are still up in the normal range. The car starts heating up when I am at a stop sign or in other words when the car is stopped. When it starts moving it cools down a little. What could be wrong with it?? Where should I go to get it fixed? Help would be appreciated, Thanks.
Ok guys, here's the thing. I noticed recently that my temperature gauge right underneath the oil temp has started going deep into the 200's. All the other temp's (oil) are still up in the normal range. The car starts heating up when I am at a stop sign or in other words when the car is stopped. When it starts moving it cools down a little. What could be wrong with it?? Where should I go to get it fixed? Help would be appreciated, Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Irwindale Ca
Have you tested the thermostat? When the car is cold, start the car. Watch the tempurature rise. As it gets to thermostate temp, either 180 or 195 degrees, it will stop climbing and begin to drop. As the thermostat closes, it will begin to rise again until the tempurature in the radiator matches the tempurature in the engine. If your coolant gauge just keeps rising as it warms, then your thermostat is not opening or regulating. Simple diagnosis without tearing apart anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Check for alot of trash between the cooler and the radiator... and check the radiator front, they are a vacume for dirt... may just need a good cleaning... but 200-230 are okay temps
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Go by the digital guages and not the analog. My analog guages on my 95 gets close to the red mark but the digital guages says 220's. Any temp under 230 is good. You can clean between the radiator and a/c condensor as mentioned, make sure the air is out of the coolant and the coolant level is full. You can turn on the A/C to make the fans run.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
The cleaning is a good routine item to always to check. I would agree go with the digital gauge. Sounds like your temps are in the OK range.
It is the summer and things do run hotter. If there is a change in cooling performance then there is something to be looked at. As said the thermostat could be going bad. They don’t always fail closed but can have a change in operation, not open all the way and have subtle changes. If in dough or bothered by it just change it and eliminate that factor. Do a flush also it’s a cheep simple process.
It is the summer and things do run hotter. If there is a change in cooling performance then there is something to be looked at. As said the thermostat could be going bad. They don’t always fail closed but can have a change in operation, not open all the way and have subtle changes. If in dough or bothered by it just change it and eliminate that factor. Do a flush also it’s a cheep simple process.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
You say that the guage goes deep in the 200's, but how deep?
We also don't know what type of driving you are doing when the guage starts to increase (heavy traffic or highway).
If the number bothers you, go thru your cooling system and get it to run cooler.
Clean out any junk between your radiator and A/C.
Do a complete system flush and replace w/ 50/50 distilled and anitfreeze.
Check and change your hoses.
Check and change your Tstat.
Check your water pump, make sure its working.
Check your radiator cap for 15psi and replace if necessary.
Check the above for starters.
We also don't know what type of driving you are doing when the guage starts to increase (heavy traffic or highway).
If the number bothers you, go thru your cooling system and get it to run cooler.
Clean out any junk between your radiator and A/C.
Do a complete system flush and replace w/ 50/50 distilled and anitfreeze.
Check and change your hoses.
Check and change your Tstat.
Check your water pump, make sure its working.
Check your radiator cap for 15psi and replace if necessary.
Check the above for starters.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I did get down and look underneath to see for anything, I don't even know how to take the radiator out and clean it! But It starts goin to like 220-240 digital and analog near the end zone only when stopped. But i guess i can check the fan and see.
Thanks for answering guys.
Thanks for answering guys.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Decatur Al
Turn on your A/C and make sure the fan comes on. It should. Then turn off the A/C and let the engine run and watch your temp. When the engine gets to about 230 deg. the fan should come on and the engine temp should start going down (assuming you have coolant and no debris between the A/C condenser and the radiator). When the engine cools back down to around 205 deg., the fan should shut down. That's normal operation. If it doesn't work as described, then you have to look further into the issue.
As a side note, the first time I was sitting in traffic on a hot day and happened to catch my temp gauge rising, I got really worried! It kept climbing ... 210, 215, 220, 225 ... and I was getting really nervous and hoping that the traffic would move! I was sure the engine was overheating! At 229, the fan cut in and the engine cooled back down to 200+ really quickly! Boy, was I relieved!
As a side note, the first time I was sitting in traffic on a hot day and happened to catch my temp gauge rising, I got really worried! It kept climbing ... 210, 215, 220, 225 ... and I was getting really nervous and hoping that the traffic would move! I was sure the engine was overheating! At 229, the fan cut in and the engine cooled back down to 200+ really quickly! Boy, was I relieved!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by TestDriver
I did get down and look underneath to see for anything, I don't even know how to take the radiator out and clean it! But It starts goin to like 220-240 digital and analog near the end zone only when stopped. But i guess i can check the fan and see.
Thanks for answering guys.
Thanks for answering guys.
