AC and overheat problem
AC and overheat problem my z28 has a vacuum leak in the AC system and sometimes blows on the feet instead of the face. that's problem #1 i don't know how to fix. but, my engine also seems to get really hot (between 210 and 240) when i'm sitting in traffic with the AC on Max. this doesn't happen when i'm cruising, doesn't happen when i'm in traffic and turn the AC off either. it seems to be directly related to the AC being on Max while the car is sitting mostly still. do you think the AC vacuum leak is causing the overheating problem, or is it something more simple like the thermostat?
I was having the almost the same exact problem with my T/A last week. I was thinking thermostat too, but if it was your thermo being stuck closed, it would run hot all the time right? Be sure to check and make sure your fan is kicking on and you dont have any relays out.
I just bought my car 2 weeks ago, and my problem ended up being i was low on coolant. I dont know if it's leaking out or evaporated? I do know it isnt going in the motor though, so that's a good thing.
Check your coolant level, fan and switches, and have a pressure test done on the system. I have also heard of a/c condensers causing overheating. You might want to check that as well, they tend to get dirt and debris in them and clog.
I personally wouldnt think a vacuum leak in the a/c would cause you to overheat, but really do not know enough about it to give you an educated answer. Good luck!
I just bought my car 2 weeks ago, and my problem ended up being i was low on coolant. I dont know if it's leaking out or evaporated? I do know it isnt going in the motor though, so that's a good thing.
Check your coolant level, fan and switches, and have a pressure test done on the system. I have also heard of a/c condensers causing overheating. You might want to check that as well, they tend to get dirt and debris in them and clog.
I personally wouldnt think a vacuum leak in the a/c would cause you to overheat, but really do not know enough about it to give you an educated answer. Good luck!
One way I check is put my hand behind the fans to make sure theyre working. Another way would be an ohm and voltage test to make sure theyre getting the correct voltage and putting out the correct ohms. Not sure on how many ohms they should put out but you should have atleast 13.8 volts goin into them if your alternator is working properly. To check your condensor/radiator you can try looking but it'd probably be best to take the lower air box/radiator support off so you can look down between the codensor and radiator. It wouldnt hurt to hose them down with a good stream of water anyways. It may not be the fix, but its a zero cost possibility and maintanence.
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Verdad Gallardo the fans are working just fine, unless somehow they randomly stop while i'm in traffic (hard to know if that's happening).
any other possibilities? i looked at the coolant and it seems to be just fine with no particles in it either.
also, what is the condensor? i don't know what i'm looking for...
any other possibilities? i looked at the coolant and it seems to be just fine with no particles in it either.
also, what is the condensor? i don't know what i'm looking for...
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Hot when you're sitting still but cool when you are moving indicates an air flow problem. Likely a fan IMO, but trash (plastic bag) in front of the radiator could cause this as well.
oh thanks, that makes sense. how do you blow it out from the rear?
i actually had my engine getting hotter than 210 the other day, i pulled over and popped the hood and both fans were still working fine. i am really baffled about this one...also no plastic bag/debris stuck in front of the "condenser." any other ideas? seems like it is only at lower speeds (but doesn't happen at idle), also doesn't happen all the time, and also if i turn the AC off the problem seems to dissipate.
i actually had my engine getting hotter than 210 the other day, i pulled over and popped the hood and both fans were still working fine. i am really baffled about this one...also no plastic bag/debris stuck in front of the "condenser." any other ideas? seems like it is only at lower speeds (but doesn't happen at idle), also doesn't happen all the time, and also if i turn the AC off the problem seems to dissipate.
Last edited by tuffluck; Jun 18, 2010 at 06:51 PM.
Stick a air chuck between the condenser and radiator and proceed to blow air to the front of the car. This is what I am talking about. Hopefully it will take care of your problem. It may not look dirty but wait until you start doing it.
is it possible that the thermostat is just sticking sometimes? it's an intermittent problem but i have seen the car get too hot as i'm driving at highway speeds, although usually it gets hotter when i'm going slow in traffic. is there anyway to check this, or should i just replace the thermostat?
Well, you can pull the thermostat and put it in a pot with water in it - bring the pot up to boiling temp, and see if the thermostat opens along the way. It should be pretty obvious if it is working correctly or not.
