Quick question about overheating.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-21-2006, 04:57 PM
  #1  
Yeehaw
Thread Starter
 
BEETROOT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Age: 43
Posts: 20,972
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
Quick question about overheating.

1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

It runs perfectly and engine temp is fine when I'm driving. Problem is if I leave it idling for a long period of time, or sit in stop and go traffic, it starts to heat up. It gets over the 3/4 mark on the engine temp gauge.

The only actual 'problem' with this that I can tell is that the a/c isn't very cold at this point. It gets close to, but never goes into the red.

Is this bad for the car? Is there anything I can do about it? Or is this just something that will happen to an old car sitting in 115 degree heat?
Old 08-21-2006, 05:02 PM
  #2  
The sizzle in the Steak
 
Moog-Type-S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 71,436
Received 1,877 Likes on 1,297 Posts
Water pump or thermostat problem?
Old 08-21-2006, 05:05 PM
  #3  
Yeehaw
Thread Starter
 
BEETROOT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Age: 43
Posts: 20,972
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
Well the a/c cuts out, so it definitely is getting hot. Water pump would cause this to happen at low speeds?
Old 08-21-2006, 06:24 PM
  #4  
Drifting
 
Stapler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tucson Az
Age: 40
Posts: 2,334
Received 240 Likes on 133 Posts
If it's got a clutch fan that can affect it aswell. Sometimes when the clutch starts to go, the fan doesn't spin as fast as it needs to at idle..

When thermostats fail they won't let the car cool down when going at speed. And some of them now days fail in the open possition anyway.

If the water pump isn't moving enough water it certainly could be a problem. Mabee a coroded or busted impellar.
The radiator could be blocked inside or outside. and be preventing water flow, or air flow.

My old 429 powered truck didn't do so well here in az summers till i put electrif fans on it. I just couldn't move enough air with the old belt driven fan/shround combo, but most domestic cars from the last 20 years or so have been tested in heatboxes here in the sonora desert, so it shouldn't really happen to a 94.
Old 08-21-2006, 06:29 PM
  #5  
Suzuka Master
 
SpeedyV6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Lakeway, TX
Posts: 7,516
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
It could be that the fan isn't switching on when you're idling.
Old 08-21-2006, 07:17 PM
  #6  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
NSXNEXT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: where the weather suits my clothes
Age: 55
Posts: 27,921
Received 1,080 Likes on 661 Posts
Does the radiator fan turn on when the engine reaches temperature? If no, check the radiator fan switch.
Old 08-21-2006, 08:45 PM
  #7  
teh Senior Instigator
 
CLpower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Age: 42
Posts: 44,090
Received 957 Likes on 328 Posts
Typical american cars, they get crazy heat soak at idle causing the A/C to blow


Beet, you may want to consider adding a better fan or/also putting it on a switch (that is what we do with our old hot rods.


But, there are many aftermarket fans out there that are a lot better then factory that will definately cool you down.
Old 08-21-2006, 09:07 PM
  #8  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
fuzzy02CLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South FL
Age: 48
Posts: 16,847
Received 222 Likes on 183 Posts
Not sure on the specfics of your Jeep. But from my experience with my 94 Explorer.....

If it's a mec. fan that uses a fan clutch, the clutch may be bad.(on an explorer this is common, & there will be cracks in the fan around the hub)
The coolant temp sensor may be bad
TS may be bad
air trapped in radiator
Bad radiator
I had the same problems, & had to replace all of that. It's ok now.
Old 08-21-2006, 11:31 PM
  #9  
Moderator
 
SodaLuvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 3,965
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 8 Posts
I'd check radiator fan and/or switch.

Drain/flush/refill the cooling system to ensure that the radiator is flowing properly.

If the thermostat is original, replace it...

Check coolant temperature sensor.
Old 08-21-2006, 11:58 PM
  #10  
Suzuka Master
 
SpeedyV6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Lakeway, TX
Posts: 7,516
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by SodaLuvr
Check coolant temperature sensor.
How do you check the coolant temp sensor?
Old 08-22-2006, 07:47 AM
  #11  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
fuzzy02CLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South FL
Age: 48
Posts: 16,847
Received 222 Likes on 183 Posts
Find where it's located. Unplug the connector & ground it. The temp gauge in the car should not move when you turn the ignition to run.
Old 08-22-2006, 09:20 AM
  #12  
Moderator
 
SodaLuvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 3,965
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 8 Posts
On the S-Series Saturn's at least, the problem is quite common...the tip would crack as the morons at GM thought plastic was OK, so the updated part is now a metal tip. If in doubt, just replace it...it's not that expensive...but check the radiator fan switch, and flush/fill the cooling system first...(and replace radiator cap)
Old 08-22-2006, 09:57 AM
  #13  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
fuzzy02CLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South FL
Age: 48
Posts: 16,847
Received 222 Likes on 183 Posts
There's only a fan switch if it's an electric fan.
Old 08-22-2006, 10:17 AM
  #14  
Yeehaw
Thread Starter
 
BEETROOT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Age: 43
Posts: 20,972
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
Awesome, thanks for the help guys.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rdub81
ILX Photograph Gallery
16
03-17-2016 03:02 PM
Frathora
4G TL (2009-2014)
23
09-28-2015 11:29 PM
Strath
3G TL (2004-2008)
36
09-27-2015 11:53 PM
HOWELLiNC
3G TL Problems & Fixes
2
09-20-2015 04:21 PM
datadr
5G TLX (2015-2020)
6
09-12-2015 09:12 PM



Quick Reply: Quick question about overheating.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:57 PM.