Overheat?
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Overheat?
I know theres plenty of threads concerning overheating but I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on what happened to me today. I have a 2000 coupe and drove up to Santa Fe (ie high altitude), NM and noticed the temp approaching the RED, when I turned the AC off, it cooled back to under 240. Outside temp was in the low 90's, humdity 28%, moderate traffice conditions. I did pull over in a parking lot and check to make sure I didn't suck up a Wal-mart bag when I drove past at a high rate of speed.....and everything else looked normal. Never had any problems before in 115 degree temp. I did not check to see if both fans were working so I don't know if they both were but I did hear at least one of the fans operating. Early in the day I was running low on gas and stopped at a station that was out of Premium and Mid-grade so I put about 10 gals regular unleaded. I still have about 1/4 tank so I will go fill up with high-test but do you think that possibly running on regular unleaded would attribute to overheating in high altitude conditions. I'm thinking that is what would cause it but we'll see after I fill up and then I think I'll get some octane boost just to be sure. Anyway, appreciate the brain picking....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
When was the last time you cleaned out the rocks in the condensor? If its never been done and you're in a '00 then you've probably got a lot of them in there as these cars pulled air in from the bottom. Is your air-dam in place?
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Usually it runs around 200-220, even in 115 degree heat,(but its a dry heat). I installed a Vararam a couple months ago and cleaned the radiator fins then and yes, the air dam is still there. I checked the coolant level and its fine,both fans are working, I took it to the stealership last year and had a flush and new coolant and no problems with overheating, until I filled it with 10 gals of cheap regular unleaded and drove it at 7,500 ft elevation. I filled it up this morning with a good quality premium gas and drove it for a short while and it hasn't gotten over 200 yet. I have a long drive tomorrow and will know if that fixed the problem. Just never heard of anyone else having temp problems on regular unleaded fuel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Usually it runs around 200-220, even in 115 degree heat,(but its a dry heat). I installed a Vararam a couple months ago and cleaned the radiator fins then and yes, the air dam is still there. I checked the coolant level and its fine,both fans are working, I took it to the stealership last year and had a flush and new coolant and no problems with overheating, until I filled it with 10 gals of cheap regular unleaded and drove it at 7,500 ft elevation. I filled it up this morning with a good quality premium gas and drove it for a short while and it hasn't gotten over 200 yet. I have a long drive tomorrow and will know if that fixed the problem. Just never heard of anyone else having temp problems on regular unleaded fuel.
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You may be right but I think I will go ahead and replace the thermostat and the antifreeze and then burp it and see what that does. I did run it about 500 miles today and it got up to 230 going up a long steep hill but I turned the ac off and it cooled down below 220, but otherwise ran about 200ish all day, even though the oat (outside air temp) was over 103.
