My car overheats when it is idle too long. Help!?

Question

My car runs just fine....except when im stuck in traffic and the car is idle too long, like stop-and-go traffic. as soon as i speed up, the temp gauge returns to normal. What's the problem and how can i fix it?! my friend suggested a coolant flush. What is that and will that help?

Answer 1

If it over heats only at idle--it is a air flow problem or a water pump problem. air flow problems can include fan, fan shroud, fan clutch, fan motor, fan thermostat, and exterior core of the radiator. If these problems have been checked and the fan system is working correctly--then it's the water pump. at idle because it maybe worn or sucking air around the shaft it may not move enough water until engine rpms above idle are reached.*** the fan circuit just simulates the car moving between 27-35 mph. If it was the thermostat or plugged radiator core (interior) if would overheat under power also and faster because the engine is working harder.

Answer 2

Run the heater on full blast to cool it down a little. When the engine is cool, check to see if the radiator has water/coolant. Also make sure the reserve coolant compartment has coolant up to the "Full" line. Hope this helps. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Firstly, very simple answer. You just need to get your car radiator cleaned-up from a proper mechanic. Otherwise, your car will keep giving you the trouble.

Secondly, the radiator cap is loosing pressure. Get the radiator cap checked up. In most of the cases the problem of car heating up or the "water reducing" in the radiator is due to the radiator cap problem.

Do not let this problem to prolong because this can aggraviate further and you may end up loosing your engine.

Answer 4

Check these items in this order...
1) Coolant level first also check radiator for crap in the cooling fins.
2) Electric radiator fan fuse
3) Electric radiator fan function
4) Thermistatic switch controlling electric radiator fan
5) Thermostat. (i save this for almost last as it can be a fairly involved job removing and checking it....and if you get this far...just replace the damn thing anyways...)
6) Radiator function..flush, cleanse and refill.

As an emergency procedure to keep your engine from overheating....run your deforsters at max temp and full fan....this will help dissapate excess heat.

Answer 5

fan clutch. it cools the coolant while idling or going slow. and the air forced through while driving (called air induction) cools it while driving at normal to higher speeds. so id check the fan clutch or low speed fan (if electric) first. high speed fan is for a/c

Answer 6

Get the fan clutch checked and Get it back flushed is good ~70 bucks,, if that doesn't work,, have someone change the fan to an electirc one ~250- 270 bucks.

Answer 7

It's most likely your thermostat.......It opens the radiator so that the water can circulate. It will be located under the hose coming from the radiator going to the engine block. Can be tested by boiling the thermostat....

Answer 8

you may need a new thermostat,its very easy to do just go to a car parts store tell them your thermostat is bad and they will give you one and you take the old one off the radiator and replace and there you are but wait till the motor has cooled down or hot water will spew out on you when you open the radiator top

Answer 9

its prob ur water pump, also coolant flush would be nice, if anything while u are in traffic turn on ur heater at full blast and it shouldnt over heat as bad.

Answer 10

YOU PROBALY NEED TO HAVE YOUR RADITOR ROTED OUT OR FLUSH IT OUT BUT TAKE SOMEWHERE YOU TRUST OUR IT MIGHT BE YOUR FANS NOT MOVING NOT ENOUGH AIR I SEEN THEM RUNNING BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH BECUASE THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT