[89 2.3] Engine Overheats at Idle, Unless You Keep RPM's Up
Yeah, it's a real weird problem. Whenever I'm in traffic, my '89 2.3 will start to overheat. It's not the fan -- I've checked it, it works. I've replaced the thermostat and water pump. I've flushed and changed the coolant.
However, if I'm stopped at a light and my car's at idle (800-900 RPM), the damn temperature gauge starts going up and up and up. If I mash on the gas a little bit to bring it up to about 1500 RPM, it starts coming back down.
Anyone know what's going on? This makes stop and go driving difficult, as I have to keep putting my car in park and revving it up (it's an auto).
Yeah, I could just up my idle to about 1400-1500, but I'd really like to find out whatever's causing the problem in the first place, because I have a feeling that it's going to get worse eventually.
I had a Volvo that did this years ago, and it was a bad serpentine belt. New belt fixed that car's very similar symptoms. Turned out the belt was not spinning the waterpump fast enough (solved a problem with sporadic dead batteries, too).
You might also have some trapped air in the system, of course. This is not unknown after replacing water pumps and thermostats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainSkyhawk
Yeah, it's a real weird problem. Whenever I'm in traffic, my '89 2.3 will start to overheat. It's not the fan -- I've checked it, it works. I've replaced the thermostat and water pump. I've flushed and changed the coolant.
However, if I'm stopped at a light and my car's at idle (800-900 RPM), the damn temperature gauge starts going up and up and up. If I mash on the gas a little bit to bring it up to about 1500 RPM, it starts coming back down.
Anyone know what's going on? This makes stop and go driving difficult, as I have to keep putting my car in park and revving it up (it's an auto).
Yeah, I could just up my idle to about 1400-1500, but I'd really like to find out whatever's causing the problem in the first place, because I have a feeling that it's going to get worse eventually.
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
Same problem, basically. I live in a very hot climate (103 today), but have had the fan checked, replaced all belts and hoses, checked the thermostat, replaced the radiator, etc. It will heat up a lot quicker, at idle or in stop-and-go traffic, unless I keep the AC going, which helps a little. Most of the time the gauge stays at 20-25%... In hot weather, stop-and-go, it starts creeping up to the halfway point, and beyond. Yesterday, as I got a chance to pick up speed a little, I watched the gauge literally jump back and forth, from about 40% to 50%... But it would be hard to say it was a gauge problem, since it generally seems to parallel weather and driving conditions.
The bit about the AC being on helping is sort of logical (when the AC cuts in, it can bump up the idle).
Normally, running the AC adds to the motor's load, but if your problem is that you're not getting enough water circulation at idle/low rpms, this could make a difference.
Review all the comments above. You might get some ideas.
I would definitely check out the temp gauge and sensor, though. I would consider them iffy at this point, particularly if the car has not over-heated (steam, assorted hysteria).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tburt99
Same problem, basically. I live in a very hot climate (103 today), but have had the fan checked, replaced all belts and hoses, checked the thermostat, replaced the radiator, etc. It will heat up a lot quicker, at idle or in stop-and-go traffic, unless I keep the AC going, which helps a little. Most of the time the gauge stays at 20-25%... In hot weather, stop-and-go, it starts creeping up to the halfway point, and beyond. Yesterday, as I got a chance to pick up speed a little, I watched the gauge literally jump back and forth, from about 40% to 50%... But it would be hard to say it was a gauge problem, since it generally seems to parallel weather and driving conditions.
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
Just wanted to tell everyone thanks -- turns out it was the serpentine belt! Damn, what a weird problem. The old one looked all right, kinda, but I've had the new one on for a week and I'm not getting the same problem, so who knows?
"I had a Volvo that did this years ago, and it was a bad serpentine belt. New belt fixed that car's very similar symptoms. Turned out the belt was not spinning the waterpump fast enough (solved a problem with sporadic dead batteries, too)."
Ha! Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then!
Glad you got it fixed. Best of luck!
stan
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainSkyhawk
Just wanted to tell everyone thanks -- turns out it was the serpentine belt! Damn, what a weird problem. The old one looked all right, kinda, but I've had the new one on for a week and I'm not getting the same problem, so who knows?
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
[89 2.3] Engine Overheats at Idle, Unless You Keep RPM's Up 
This makes stop and go driving difficult, as I have to keep putting my car in park and revving it up (it's an auto).
