User Name Here

iTrader: (3)

Ok guys I have tried searching a little but it I couldn't find a similar situation to mine. My car runs cool - right on the normal temp while driving but while idling (like in a drive thru or traffic jam) the engine starts to get warm. And its not just a little warm - close to red. I luckily heard the fan kick on and noticed that it didn't seem to help but as soon as I speed up the motor or start driving it cools right back down. Any ideas guys? I'm hoping that the water pump isn't getting ready to go but I think that might be the situation. All help is appreciated!

Nathan C

I know when you are driving air is going up the air dam and cooling the engine. My 1994 Firebird also gets hotter when I'm not moving.

need2speed94

I think I have the same problem... I took it up to 150 on the highway the other day and it was perfectly fine. But it has always had a bit of trouble keeping cool while idling or stop/go. I know it's not my radiator because it was actually just repaired a few days ago and the problem persists. Low oil light is on for me but I've checked it and it's fine... anyone?

autogeek23

iTrader: (13)

Check your coolant. or possible thermostat.

01transampower

iTrader: (9)

If your car has ever been tuned the tuner could have messed with the fans and when they come on. I have no over heating problems at idle or stop and go. Your coolant or thermostat could be bad. Coolant can get nasty over time. Check that.

01transampower

iTrader: (9)

Your oil level sensor in the pan could be going bad or gummed up. I'd say check that because if its not going off the sensor could be going bad. Or maybe check your fuses.

Bramlok

iTrader: (7)

Is the car stock or modified? I'm assuming your cooling system is fully topped off and not low?

You may want to check the front of the radiator. Sometimes the front of it can get clogged with leaves or even a plastic bag.

If you car has been modified and tuned, your tuner can set your cooling fans to turn on sooner at a lower temperature.

01transampower

iTrader: (9)

^^^ What Bramlok siad^^^

need2speed94

I will go ahead and look at that oil level sensor... most likely why that light is on because like I said I have plenty of oil. Thanks

NVR_SPDS

iTrader: (39)

If the coolant is topped off, and the radiator is not blocked, confirm that BOTH fans are coming on. You can let it get up to temp, or just turn on the AC, and within a few seconds both fans should come on, no matter the temp.

User Name Here

iTrader: (3)

Ok guys I didn't happen to think about it until someone mentioned their low oil light. When I first noticed the temp going up, the low oil light was not on. I checked the coolant level and it was low, so I added coolant but it didn't fix it. Then the other day my low oil light came on(I hadn't checked the oil level in a while) so I checked it and it was about 1.5 quarts low. I added oil but haven't thought to check and see if it stared to over heat after that. I bet that it was just heating the oil too much and couldn't keep cool oil flowing at idle

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

If you start to get cooled down after you start moving.....this points towards your fans (BOTH of them) not working properly.

You may have heard one kick on.........but they must work together always. And they must go into LOW and HIGH together.

The only thing that keeps an engine cool when idling or when driving in stop and go traffic......are the fans. And the little bit of air flow when you do move, but its actually close to nothing for cooling.

So....fans are everything at the times when you are getting hot. Make sure they are BOTH coming on and make sure they are BOTH working in LOW and HIGH settings.

Just pull over next time you see the temps at or around 240*F......A/C "off". CAREFULLY put your fingers in front of each fan to check if they are blowing at the same speed/power.

If they are.......then put your hand on the intake. If you can keep it there flat on top of the intake, with temps in the 240*F range, then you're really not running hot. You probably have a failing "Coolant Temp Sensor." At 240*F+ there's no way you can keep your hand on the intake without getting burned. Normal temps allow you to keep it on the intake with no problems at all, it won't be that hot to the touch at all.

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User Name Here

iTrader: (3)

LS6427 - you make a good point. I did hear the fans blowing (or at least one of them) but I'm not sure if they are working together or not. I will try to keep to duplicate the situation soon and see if I can confirm if they are working together. I have a feeling that the low oil level may have contributed to them situation but may not be the entire problem. Thanks for your help guys!

need2speed94

I'm glad my oil problem aided you in becoming closer to your problem haha.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

I've been low on oil where there's nothing showing on the dipstick.......and my temps didn't change at all. Oil has very little to do with "engine" cooling. If you put an external oil cooler on it, then it would help cool. Our cars won't change temps with low oil. Unless maybe you're road racing it with 2 1/2 qrts in there.

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need2speed94

When are the fans supposed to come on? My car came with a fan switch from the previous owner, and they never come on automatically.

01transampower

iTrader: (9)

I think the factory fans are set to come on at 180-200 but I may be wrong.

need2speed94

Hmm alright. I usually hit the switch if it nears 200.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

The "oil low" light tells you when the oil is below full. This will not cause your engine to run hot. If the oil level is so low that the oil pump is sucking air and your oil pressure goes to zero, then yes, this will cause you to run hot-in a hurry.

The oil low indicator had nothing to do with the engine running hot at low engine speeds.

How many miles on this car?

Assuming the coolant level is correct and the fans are working, we can see the water pump works better at higher engine speeds.

I'll say you need a new water pump. Sometimes, the pump impeller can rot away reducing it's effectiveness at lower speeds. Worst case scenario, the impeller disintegrates to a flat disc.

Here's an extreme example:

User Name Here

iTrader: (3)

Well I'm glad to know the oil level isn't the culprit. The car has 90k on it so it's not very high mileage. I actually thought the water pump may be going but was hoping for that to not be the case