Why does my car run so hot?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Why does my car run so hot?
Maybe it's not too hot...but people always tell me their temps are lower.
I drove from Jacksonville, NC to Charlotte,NC today and my usual (A4)tranny fluid temp was about 214 - 216 during the day. When I am in town it usually gets to 223 or so. I drive the car very gently. Is this too hot? If so, what might be causing this?
EDIT: For 1 hour of the trip my tranny temps fluctuated between 194 and 203 because the sun went down.
I drove from Jacksonville, NC to Charlotte,NC today and my usual (A4)tranny fluid temp was about 214 - 216 during the day. When I am in town it usually gets to 223 or so. I drive the car very gently. Is this too hot? If so, what might be causing this?
EDIT: For 1 hour of the trip my tranny temps fluctuated between 194 and 203 because the sun went down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Not that hot
I don't think that is too hot, but check the intake area of the radiator for leaves,
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
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Originally Posted by LV Vette
I don't think that is too hot, but check the intake area of the radiator for leaves,
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
hose that badboy out 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,406
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From: Cypress TX
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Originally Posted by LV Vette
I don't think that is too hot, but check the intake area of the radiator for leaves,
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
I recently checked mine and was totally amazed at how many leaves were stuck up there. After cleaning, there was a noticable temp drop.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
there is a ton of crap up there. I change my oil a lot and everytime I still find stuff up there. Last time it was grass clipping 
Had my thermo changed to a 160 and had the fans come on earlier the car never gets hot now....
Had my thermo changed to a 160 and had the fans come on earlier the car never gets hot now....
Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Aug 23, 2005 at 01:59 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by LV Vette
I don't think that is too hot, but check the intake area of the radiator for leaves,
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
plastic bags, etc. Be sure to check the other side of the radiator too. You have to
remove the fan shroud to check it.
Clayton
There has been a ton of threads on this subject. I made up an air hose with a 90 degree fitting to blow out the A/C condenser and the Radiator. I got over a cup full of sand, dirt, grass clippings, leaves, etc. Don't just look up from under the front of the car, since thats just the A/C condenser. The Radiator is behind it. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Okay, I've read this theory of cleaning the radiator area to lower the temps. As logical as it sounds, I can't seem to find anything stuck under my car. My temps are very high too. So can anyone shed some light on where and how to look for debris, leaves, etc. I just opened the hood looked in it, and found nothing. Went under the car, looked at the big radiator, found nothing.... 
Where exactly am I supposed to look ? 
Plz help. Thanks.. 
Where exactly am I supposed to look ? Plz help. Thanks..
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Let's make sure we are all talking about the same thing here. His post states TRANNY temps, not coolant, not oil temps...from reading some of the responses I don't think everyone is referring to the same thing..I am no expert 
but would hate to see wrong info get mixed up in this. 
but would hate to see wrong info get mixed up in this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
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From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by FrankTank
Let's make sure we are all talking about the same thing here. His post states TRANNY temps, not coolant, not oil temps...from reading some of the responses I don't think everyone is referring to the same thing..I am no expert but would hate to see wrong info get mixed up in this.
but would hate to see wrong info get mixed up in this. The Tranny fluid is cooled thru the radiator, unless he has a seperate after-market cooler. So there is a direct connection between the two. He didn't say what his coolant temps were, but if he's stock, I bet it's in the 195-220 range or more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
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From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
Okay, I've read this theory of cleaning the radiator area to lower the temps. As logical as it sounds, I can't seem to find anything stuck under my car. My temps are very high too. So can anyone shed some light on where and how to look for debris, leaves, etc. I just opened the hood looked in it, and found nothing. Went under the car, looked at the big radiator, found nothing.... Where exactly am I supposed to look ? Plz help. Thanks..
Where exactly am I supposed to look ? Plz help. Thanks..
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by FrankTank
Let's make sure we are all talking about the same thing here. His post states TRANNY temps, not coolant, not oil temps...from reading some of the responses I don't think everyone is referring to the same thing..I am no expert but would hate to see wrong info get mixed up in this.
but would hate to see wrong info get mixed up in this. My coolant temps dropped 30 degrees or more when I cleaned out the radiator. I took it totally out though and cleaned it (and the AC condensor) with a pressure washer then with compressed air until it was spotless.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by sxe60
The Tranny fluid is cooled thru the radiator, unless he has a seperate after-market cooler. So there is a direct connection between the two. He didn't say what his coolant temps were, but if he's stock, I bet it's in the 195-220 range or more.
that's what I figured, but wanted to make sure.. I'll keep my trap shut next time 
, have not had an A4 since my F-body days,
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
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From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by H20Vette
That's the problem......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
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From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by sxe60
The Tranny fluid is cooled thru the radiator, unless he has a seperate after-market cooler. So there is a direct connection between the two. He didn't say what his coolant temps were, but if he's stock, I bet it's in the 195-220 range or more.
Thanks for the responses everyone. Yup, that's about where my coolant temps are staying. My real concern was the tranny fluid. I actually has the radiator cleaned out the day before this trip, along with an oil change...so I am fairly sure that isn't the problem. The temps are a fairly consistent condition. I just became worried because so many people on here talk about tranny temps in the 180's. I have to park my car to get it that low.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by Prosecutor
Thanks for the responses everyone. Yup, that's about where my coolant temps are staying. My real concern was the tranny fluid. I actually has the radiator cleaned out the day before this trip, along with an oil change...so I am fairly sure that isn't the problem. The temps are a fairly consistent condition. I just became worried because so many people on here talk about tranny temps in the 180's. I have to park my car to get it that low.
You have to check the whole story on 180 oil temp reports. Many are running 160 degree thermostats and lowered cooling fan settings plus an extrenal oil cooler. That's all great if you run at the track, but for normal cruising in hot weather, what you're seeing is fine.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by sxe60
That's all great if you run at the track, but for normal cruising in hot weather, what you're seeing is fine.
I watched it for 500 + miles of driving.