car heats up when stopped
car heats up when stopped i went out for a drive today and noticed that the temperature gauge would rise to the mark past 210 when i was stopped, but when i started to go the temp would go back to normal. do you think i need a new t-stat, waterpump, or radiator?
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 9
From: Indianapolis
What he said your car is getting hotter than normal I have never cracked the 210 mark since i bought it but I'm in Indy so maybe because the weather out there. You want to check your colant level first and make sure you don't have ANY leaks in your system wich is kinda hard ( I had a leak that would slowly evap and was very tricky to find in my 87 TA) If no luck there then check the T-stat and if you really want you could replace it will a cooler one but dont go crazy you want cool air intake not a cold engine. Don't touch the radiator unless there is a leak in it that is NOT the issue.
so i should start with changing the coolant and replacing the t-stat with a stock replacement. there are no leaks that hit the ground, but i will look for a small one
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TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 9
From: Indianapolis
How many miles are on this car?? We know his fans at least turn on from his other post about them commin on when the car is off. I'd check the smaller stuff a t-stat is only like 80$ at the most a radiator is much more then that and a bigger pain in the *** to install. Check it for crap in the front like STARINGBACK05 said and have it flushed and a shop should be able to check how it looks. Also when I bought my car with less then 50,000 Miles on it, the water pump had been replaced. Take it a step at a time and be logical it isn't too bad on your engine as long as your not going too much past 210 and it comes back down quick.
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Launching!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Delaware, OH
No special tools are needed.
TO PRESSURE FLUSH THE RADIATOR
If the temp is above freezing, use a garden hose.
Hold the hose tightly on the tank opening with your petcock (valve under the radiator) open for about 5 to 10 seconds at a time so you can feel some pressure but not enough to blow tubes.
Repeat this two to three times and let the radiator completely drain.
Make sure to shut the valve completely before refilling with a 50/50 mix.
If you do need to replace the T-Stat make sure its a stock replacement because if your engine runs to cool, you'll get carbon build up in the engine
Hope this solves your problem.
TO PRESSURE FLUSH THE RADIATOR
If the temp is above freezing, use a garden hose.
Hold the hose tightly on the tank opening with your petcock (valve under the radiator) open for about 5 to 10 seconds at a time so you can feel some pressure but not enough to blow tubes.
Repeat this two to three times and let the radiator completely drain.
Make sure to shut the valve completely before refilling with a 50/50 mix.
If you do need to replace the T-Stat make sure its a stock replacement because if your engine runs to cool, you'll get carbon build up in the engine
Hope this solves your problem.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,399
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, FL
Overheating can be lots of things, coolant level, blocked radiator, water pump, tstat sticking, leak, radiator cap not holding pressure, etc. Do the easiest/cheapest things first.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: The GROVE, Ca
Remember though, when and if you decide to flush your radiator and any time in between only used specifed coolant and do not mix different types of coolants together. My 94 LT1 had the same problem and when I tore the car apart the cylinders had corrosion to them and I asked a expert and he said that because of the different chemicals in different coolants, they ate away at the block, causing a slushy type fluid flowing through the engine which wouldn't cool the car down very well.
car has 65k miles, i will try a flush along with a t-stat. and i will check to see if anything is stuck between the a/c condenser and radiator
Last edited by Searching4Sierra; Jan 23, 2007 at 09:04 PM.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Delaware, OH
yeah you should be able to. Just make sure that it fits and that the stock T-stat is rated to open at the same temp.
There's not really any difference in brand with thermostats because its pretty simple a spring with a calibrated cylinder of wax in a copper case under the spring.
GOODLUCK with the swap.
There's not really any difference in brand with thermostats because its pretty simple a spring with a calibrated cylinder of wax in a copper case under the spring.
GOODLUCK with the swap.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
my car started to over heat yesterday and I discovered that my fans werent coming on So I ran a fan switch and The fans automatically turn on but that isnt safe because that might blow the fans I believe that I need A waterpump but I dont know
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Delaware, OH
The water pump is one of those things that if you think it's going bad, you should replace it cause if it fails your car will over heat almost immediately unless its really cold outside and the coolant doesn't freeze.
