overheat? Not sure if problem

[ITSME4G63]

ALright here it goes, I notice after I drive my car for a while, then turn it off, then come back to it in lets say a couple mins, and turn it back on I see that the temperature guage is past the half way mark, as if its overheating while the car is off. I mean as soon as I turn it on, coolant gets circulated and then the gage goes down to its normal position right before the half way mark. Anyone?

 

[Boosterpack4g63]

The only thing that even comes to mind would be one of the fans not working if it goes back down. That or your thermostat is acting weird.

 

[ITSME4G63]

sometimes after i drive my car hard, and lets say I leave it in idle, the temperature will go up as well, maybe due to my huigh idle? I idle at 1500-1800 soemtimes? And my overflow tank sometimes pisses coolant out the tube as well

 

[WhiteCloud]

Usually cars heat up more, after they've been shut down, than cooling off instaniously.

Don't really worry about it unless its in the RED area.

Coolant that doesn't move just absorbs the heat of the block and it doesn't get radiated and the whole entire block just equalizes the heat. Its normal.

Do not EVER let it get into the red area. I would worry about it if it goes over 55%. I live in Florida, and on the hottest day in the summer, my temperature still never rises above the mark at 50%. If your cooling system is working properly, your temp will remain there.

If you ever let the temp get into the red area, you risk blowing your HG, warping a piston, all kinds of crazy shit you do not want to have to deal with. If for some reason, you don't notice until it is actually IN the red area, pull over immediately, shut the car off, and pop the hood.

This is the common progression for overheating problems:

1) Check cooling fans and coolant level (leaks, etc.)
2) Flush cooling system
3) Replace thermostat
4) Replace radiator cap
5) Have radiator pressure tested, replace if needed
6) Replace water pump
7) Replace HG
8) Take the car to a mechanic and let him worry about it