My car air conditioning is cold when I'm going 60+mph and gets hot when I slow down... with the car's temperature gauge maxing out. I can turn heater on to bring the temperature down.

I read different ideas/solutions in the forum and decided to check my coolant first. I opened the hood with the engine on and the fan in front of the driver was off and the fan in front of the passenger was on. After car cooled, I check the coolant in the overflow reservoir which seemed low. I removed the radiator cap and it was wet inside, but couldn't see any fluid. It was at this point that I noticed green coolant on the engine, right underneath the radiator hoses. Both hoses appear to have no leaks. I can squeeze them and fluid is in there and nothing comes out.

The fluid on the engine is what makes me nervous. What can I do? See picture. The hose that is visible in the picture is the hose coming out of the top of the radiator.

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/...diatorleak.jpg

 

 

You need to get that coolant leak fix, that is the first thing.

 

Yea... figured as much, but I can't seem to find the leak. Looks like I'll be taking it to the shop since I can't seem to DIY . . . unless others have any ideas.

 

Go get a pressure tester, connect to radiator & see if you can find it. You can get them from AZ or other parts stores for a fee that is refunded when you return it. DO NOT drive it as long as it's overheating- you can severely damage the engine.
Does the fan work when you jumper 12v to it?

 

Thanks TotaledTL. I will rent the tool and check the fan with the 12v

 

its a FREE tool loaner,,with refundable deposit~
16 psi test pressure iirc,,,have the clerk show you how to use,
Warning Danger!!!!!
never remove rad cap when fluid hot, or you will receive 2nd degree burns to your upper body!!!!
how old is the coolant?

I think you have a thermostat problem too, and possible plugged radiator.
you can run water thru it with the drain open and watch flow rate and what crud comes out
And watch it flow with cap off and engine running

done the water pump job --due at 105- yet?

does the driver side rad fan come on? it should be running full time if temp is above half!!--the temp on this car should NEVER exceed half,,actually 1-2 lines below half is normal temp
Thats the main fan for the rad, the passenger side one is tied ON with the ac, and as a backup to main fan in extreme cases

So BOTH fans should be running if ac on and temp hot

STOP driving the car NOW!! maxed temp!!!? you mean it did redline the temp?
more than once? more than 5 times?
If so, start thinking about a replacement engine!!!
because the head gaskets will be damaged and blow in 6 months or less
have to examine all cylinder compression to ck for leaks there,,signs of gasket damage
coolant can go past a blown gasket and into the cyl heads--seen any white smoke from exhaust pipes
Ck oil level- low? suddenly overfull? and brown foamy looking??