Lately, when I'm stopped at a light or sitting idle, I have noticed that my engine temperature rises quickly from it's normal temp reading (slightly less than half of the gas gauge) to near the red bar. I have almost 95k miles and the coolant was changed at 62k. I'm sure it needs changing but the coolant still has a bright green hue. Anyone else experience this or can help explain the problem? All suggestions welcomed!

 

Check to see if the fan is running while it is hot. If the fan isn't kicking on, that could speak to several problems.

Let us know...

 

your thermostat might be suck, not opening up to cool the engine.

 

Water pump, thermostat, fans. One of those 3 things.

 

might try to redo the pump and stat first, then use WaterWetter....it's probably a good idea at your mileage anyway

 

Since you mention it overheats only when stopped, it's most likely because the fans are not kicking in. If it were the water pump or thermostat, you'd be overheating all the time.

It's OK when you are moving since then there's enough air flow through the radiator.

 

radiator fan switch. I replaced mine at 50K.

 

Also....you can't really judge when it's time to change the coolant based on colour....it won't really change colour. However, overtime it will break down --- that's when it needs to be replaced. Judged more on mileage and/or time.

 

Yea, after my accident, mine was overheating too. They thought it was the thermostat, which was bad anyways, so they replaced it. It kept overheating, and I finally blew a head gasket. That was a pain in the ass. The cause was a very small leak in the radiator that the body shop, who fucked numerous other things up on my car, didn't fix. Make sure you get it taken car of ASAP.... otherwise you'll blow a gasket and it will cost you a FORTUNE. Luckily insurance paid for mine.

 

You didn't notice the antifreeze level in the overflow tank dropping?

 

I did, and I took it back and they said it was fine. There was antifreeze all over the inside of the engine bay, and the dumbasses said it was just because there was too much fluid in there. I cant believe how stupid this fools are, and how stupid I was for getting my car fixed in Alabama. I should have had it towed to Atlanta.

 

Bummer. A can of stop leak would have probably avoided all your problems.

 

After reading some of your responses...I checked the fan and it does kick on. The coolant level is fine. I'll probably take it in to get the thermostat looked at but first I'll try changing the coolant to see if that may resolve anything.. Thanks for all your suggestions and I'll share the results.

 

How much does it cost to replace the radiator fan switch? Anyone have an idea? My fan does kick in, but only when I'm sitting idle for awhile.

 

Don't bother changing the coolant unless it should be changed for other reasons. It's not going to solve your problem. Just take the car in and tell them what the problem is. It's easy for them to test since all they have to do is let the car idle and have one guy watch the temp gauge and another watch for the fan to come on.

 

check oil make sure it still looks like oil and not a milk shake. That would indicate head gasket or worse cracked block.

 

If the fans are kicking it, it's not the rad fan switch.

 

Have you flushed the radiator? Are you still getting heat inside the car? Are the fans cycling or just staying on all the time?

 

Haven't flushed the radiator and to be honest, I haven't changed the coolant since about 60k. So it's been a tad over 30k, and I'm not sure what the regular interval change time is. As far as the fan goes, I mostly just notice it coming on after I've turned the car off and the fan goes on to cool the engine. During stop lights, I can't hear nor feel the fans kick on, and the temp will climb from less than midrange to almost the red. I just changed the oil a couple of weeks ago at the jiffy lube and they made no mention of discoloration or look in the old oil. You guys are right, I just need to take the car in to get it looked at.

 

Air pockets, maybe? If there are air pockets in the coolant system, then the engine temperature would go up and down.