'01 SS starts heating up while idling
'01 SS starts heating up while idling 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!
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 460
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From: Elk Grove, California
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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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.
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
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
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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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!
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!
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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:
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:
Last edited by Paul Bell; May 14, 2012 at 09:56 AM.
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