Overheating at Idle

[SAllen0400]

Everytime I sit at idle for over 5 minutes, my car starts to run pretty hot. The only thing I can think of is that I have holes drilled under my air filter in my air box, and my air silencer removed on the stick intake. That could be sucking it warm engine bay air. If thats not it, then I have no idea what it could be. Any help?

Sean

[Drew99GT]

Your air box isn't making your car overheat. How hot does it get to, 215? If so, that's normal, if it goes any higher than that you have radiator fans that probably are not working.

[Blackrider]

It really depends on the outside Temp. I know that in the winter my car can sit for any length of time running and it will not overheat the fans dont even come on. I would say replace the thermostat and check for the fans if it happens when it is cold out. i mean below freezing

[VaGT]

The fan only comes on when the engine gets above a certain temp... or the AC is on right? The fan is off when you have the heater on correct?

[Blackrider]

Correct the fan only comes on when the engine is over a certain temp. But in - Temp's the outside air that hits the rad when you are standing still usually will cool then engine, and keep it at oop temp. In some older cars this goes to the extreme when the air hitting the rad cools the engine off to much. That’s why in the winter you see people with cardboard over there rad :rolleyes:

[Drew99GT]

I doubt it's the thermostat. If it was stuck closed, or somewhat sticking while trying to open, your coolent temperature would be quickly going over 230 and right to redline. I know, I've been in a vehicle that had the thermostat stick while it was coming up to operating temperature, only the sucker heated up right to redline.

[CDRperformance]

i would say your fan isnt working properly, or you may need to flush your coolant!

[93grandamSE]

its a headgasket...mine does that too.....
except now my temp gauge fluctuates alot while driving now....

[adorai]

I doubt it is a head gasket, if it is only at idle. My car just started doing this also, and I have narrowed it down to either the relay that turns on the fan, the fan itself, a sensor, or a bad wire. I haven't had time to figure out which it is, but I probably will this weekend. I will post what I find.

[VaGT]

There is nothing wrong with the car. If the car gets to a certain temp, the fan kicks on. Until then, the temp will rise sitting in traffic.

The fan also stays on all the time if the AC is on. When you are sitting in traffic, kick on the AC and watch the temp drop again.

Now, if the fan is not kicking on... that's a problem.

[AFdefender]

Originally posted by VaGT
There is nothing wrong with the car. If the car gets to a certain temp, the fan kicks on. Until then, the temp will rise sitting in traffic.

Ive driven and been in alot of cars... and being from So. Cal. traffic jam capitol of the worls ive probably spent more time sitting in trafic than most people spend driving. lol but i have never been in a car that heats up as bad as the GA.

I have the same problem in my car but when it gets hot it would start to surge and cut out... i actualy sat and watched as the tach twitched between like 5-6 hundered or what ever idle is and then rev to like 1-2 k every couple seconds... as soon as the temp goes down its fine. wtf i replaced my fuel pump a couple weeks ago but that shouldnt have anything to do with the temp, unless it was dieing so often that it was bound to do it on a hot day?