Running Hot

[Scott R]

I was just on my way back from a concurs event today, I took 2nd in my class. And it is about 95+ deg here in Denver. Also we have many forest fires burning so the air is full of ash and smoke. So I decided to turn the A/C on and it was working great as always, very cold. In stop and go traffic the temp sat around the 1/4 like always. But as soon as I got on the highway it hit the 3/4 mark then past! WTF?!? I thought they should overheat in traffic not on the highway! Anyone ever had this happen before? I have all the belly pans attached, no oil leaks, and I am running Mobile 1 10/30 syn. New timing belt and water pump. I can't even reason this problem out! It should run cooler on the highway, right? Do you think I should gut the cooling system and replace it?

[AFJuvat]

It almost sounds like you aren't getting enough airflow through the radiator.

Check to see if your radiator and condensor are clear of debris. Also, make sure your fans are in good working order.

Also make sure your system is bled properly.

AFJuvat

[Scott R]

Yea, I have some bugs in the condensor, few stones. But not much. I'll try the bleeding. I was going to pull the thermostat this weekend, and replace the all of the coolant. Maybe a raidator as well. This is my concurs winner so I try not to spare any expense.

[Bob's944]

Congrats on the 2nd place trophy Scott!!! Whooooo Hooooo

[divezic]

I don't think it is air flow related because it sounds like the cooling fans work properly in traffic. It seems like a water-flow problem. My guesses.....

1. Weak Water Pump
2. Partially opening thermostat
3. Air in system
4. Obstruction in a cooling line (troubleshoot this one with a lot of aspirin.)

Good luck and tell us what it is when you figure it out.

By the way, congrats on the 2nd in concours!

[Scott R]

Sounds good. I have two weeks until my next concurs event, so I am gonna tear the entire cooling system out this weekend and go over it.

[Scott R]

Have an update that may help. I took the car out last night and noticed that pretty much the fans are running all the time. The fans seem to be the only thing keeping it at the 1/4 mark. Any thoughts?

[3sonfather]

Scott,
Have you done any changes to either the thermostat or the thermo-switch? If so, you may have the wrong combination. Example: a 180 thermostat and a 178/182 thermo-switch will probably keep the fans on all the time once the thermo-switch is tripped. Otherwise, your thermo-switch could be bad (shorted) allowing the fans on all the time.
Scott