Pontiac GTO 2004-2006 The Modern Goat

Overheating issue

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Old Feb 12, 2016 | 05:15 PM
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Default Overheating issue

So my 04 GTO is starting to overheat. Not much but it's creeping up. Normally I run around 179 coolant temp but I'm seeing it climb to 190-ish but mostly sitting at a light.

The fans are coming on, the coolant is full and I replaced the cap on the overflow tank.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks!
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Old Feb 12, 2016 | 10:46 PM
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check obvious things first. leaks,condition of coolant and maybe your Tstat.
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Old Feb 13, 2016 | 05:09 PM
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No leaks and I'm not losing any coolant.

I didn't think it would be the thermostat because the temp fluctuates. It tends to go up sitting at a light or in traffic but cools down a bit when moving.

Not sure how to check the condition of coolant but I'll research.

Thanks!
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Old Feb 13, 2016 | 06:31 PM
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when youre sitting does it keep going up be because if your tstat is operating properly it should keep your coolant circulating to maintain a safe temp.

i had a 160 in my GTO and it would never get hot. on really cold days my heat barely worked lol.
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Old Feb 13, 2016 | 07:43 PM
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190 isn't abnormal sitting at a light
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Old Feb 13, 2016 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by GTO1_OHIO
190 isn't abnormal sitting at a light
i agree.


and i like that 10.9 too. nice work.


i still miss my GTO. it was a great car. they still are.
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Old Feb 13, 2016 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ULTIMATEORANGESS
when youre sitting does it keep going up be because if your tstat is operating properly it should keep your coolant circulating to maintain a safe temp.

i had a 160 in my GTO and it would never get hot. on really cold days my heat barely worked lol.
Mostly sitting at a light or city driving. On the highway it comes back down to 179-ish.
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Old Feb 13, 2016 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by GTO1_OHIO
190 isn't abnormal sitting at a light
Not sure why it suddenly started creeping up. I've owned the car for months and was always at a steady 179. That's why I was concerned. More about the change than the actual temp itself.

I guess I can keep an eye on it but I hate ignoring something that could be a bigger issue down the road.
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Old Feb 14, 2016 | 12:44 PM
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I've seen it as high as 220* on idle. These motors run pretty warm. If you're that worried about it I'd do a complete coolant flush or at least burp the system.
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Old Feb 14, 2016 | 05:38 PM
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I'll burp it this week but still change it since I don't know the last time it was done. The dex-cool still looks orange and there isn't a lot of miles on it (29.3k) but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks all.
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 01:23 PM
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First off, the temperature gauge is a dummy gauge that only reads cold, midrange and hot and it moves the needle to those "ish" ranges after it is triggered at a certain temp.

There is a hidden menu in the DIC that you can access:
Hold the two menu keys MODE/SET and turn the ignition key on without starting the engine, your instrument cluster should show that you can arrow up/down to different parameters that you want to see. Select coolant temp and then start the motor and watch the live readout.

It will default back to normal when you turn the key off so you will have to do the mode/set BS each time you want to see any of the hidden menu items.
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Old Oct 2, 2018 | 10:25 AM
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Default 2004 GTO fan temp kick in

I have a 2004 GTO and i was wondering: how do you adjust at what temperature the fans turn on and off? Is it something I can do at home easily or something I have to go somewhere to get done?
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Old Oct 3, 2018 | 02:00 AM
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you would need tuning software (hptuners, efilive) or a handheld tuner, such as a diablosport.
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