overheating verification help

tjbiker031 · 10-08-2009, 11:40 PM

First of all, yes i did search, and please don't give me the "use your search button" crap or answer on a topic you know nothing about....just facts please.

OK! so i was driving to work and noticed once i got off the highway, that my temp jumped up once i stopped. So i freaked for a second and then calmed down and drove her home, wishing she would get me there, (which she did thank god!). But i noticed that when im stopped for a while that the temp would rise and fall once i get going at a good rate of speed. So i come to two conclusions, bad thermostat or bad water pump, but i am leaning more towards the thermo because it will cool down once you give her more gas and get the pump moving, but i could be wrong. Help please! i need to get her fixed before i have to work on Saturday and dont want to buy anything i dont need to.

Red97Eclipseboy · 10-09-2009, 12:22 AM

Start with a $10 thermostat. It's not a bad idea to replace it anyway. Or bleed the coolant for air first if you really hate spending money.

Rob10_99 · 10-09-2009, 01:09 AM

Flush the damn thing

johnmarines · 10-09-2009, 04:41 AM

+ 1 on the thermostat

Lawn_ornament · 10-09-2009, 07:36 AM

Pressure-test your radiator cap as well. If it's not sealing well or holding sufficient pressure, your coolant will heat up rapidly. That being said, if it still takes the engine a while to warm up to operating temp (10 min. or so), then your cap is likely good. If it shows normal operating temps after only 2-3 minutes, your cap is most likely not holding pressure.

kthackst · 10-09-2009, 07:45 AM

Make sure your fan is coming on while you are are at idle.

KevinRR · 10-09-2009, 10:48 AM

I had a similar problem car would over heat when I get of the highway end up to be my radiator cap. I would change the cap and thermostat first.

tjbiker031 · 10-09-2009, 01:08 PM

Thanks everybody for the help. it turned out to be a small leak on the hose that runs from the cap to the reservoir. fixed that and she runs good. But i am planning on changing the thermostat and cap in the near future for piece of mind.

agedog2gT · 11-03-2009, 11:39 AM

I had a similar problem. i ended up going with a new radiator cap and all was well again. good luck!