anyone else have experience with the car over heating when idle? this only happens when i am sitting idle in traffic for over 5 minutes but the car cools down once i start moving.

thank you.

 

When was the last time you checked the coolant reservoir?
is the coolant reservoir to the fill line?
last time you changed the coolant?
how many miles on the car? if over 100k miles, have you changed the timing belt and water pump?

 

Are the fans running when the engine is overheating?

 

Sounds like your fans may not be kicking on... check the fan, the relays, etc..



check coolant as well but if it cools down when moving, I think the fans are the culprit.

 

Check fans and coolant as mentioned above.

 

Check thermostat too. Actually not easy to "check", you might as well replace it.

Engine coolant when spilled leaves behind some big green stains. Look under the car where you usually park for stains, also around the engine bay.

(if the fans fail for whatever reason, the engine light will turn on, so chances are its not the fans but the coolant/thermostat)

 

i'm interested in what the cause was.

OP come back!

 

I had the same issue on my 1999 TL. I fixed it by cleaning in between the radiator and the condenser coil. There was a build up of dirt and debris that got stuck in there. I couldn't see it until I removed the radiator.

I hope this helps.

 

H/A OEM coolant is blue so you could have either color if a leak is present.

 

I kinda see green white-ish stains. Almost like the rust color on old copper.