Car overheating

[Easy Mac]

In the past two days, my car has overheated. Both times it was in stop and go traffic where I was idling for about 30-40 seconds. Both times the temperature gauge swung into the red. Neither time did I have the A/C or the fans running.

The first time happened at night on Sunday. Monday I got my oil changed and told the guys about it and asked if they could check everything. They told me they didn't see anything wrong except that maybe I had a tiny leak inthe transmission fluid, but it was nothing, and that my reverse lights didn't work and that the bulbs were fine.

After that, I went to get some food, and it overheated again. Yesterday I took it to another shop, and they tested it out and said they couldn't find anything wrong. He said he added 1/4 gallon to the radiator, but that shouldn't matter. He said maybe the wire to the fan is shorted, but it was working fine for him.

I drove home and the car was fine. It has been fine except for those two instances. I've got to drive a total of 6 hours this weekend, so I'd really like my car not to overheat and crap out on me. Anyone have any suggestions? Maybe it just decided to be a piece of crap for a couple of days (its 11 years old), but I just want to make sure.

[KevinNU7]

If you needle didn't spike into the red I would have offerred you to put some new gas in the car as maybe you got some bad gas. But I am clueless.

[cougarfreak]

Sounds like your thermostat isn't working. Sometimes they get stuck open, and the engine will get enough coolant, and sometimes they get stuck closed, and it overheats. If you can fix it yourself, you are looking at a very cheap repair. If not, it can get pricey, depending on where yours is.

[spleen1015]

Sounds like your thermostat isn't working.

This is my guess.

[FrogMan]

Sounds like your thermostat isn't working. Sometimes they get stuck open, and the engine will get enough coolant, and sometimes they get stuck closed, and it overheats. If you can fix it yourself, you are looking at a very cheap repair. If not, it can get pricey, depending on where yours is.

It does sound like that. I once had the opposite to what is happening to Easy Mac happen to me with my old car, i.e. it would not warm up enough for the heater to bring heat in the car. Mid-January at -20F and while the car started without a problem, it just wouldn't warm up. Changed the thermostat and it was back to being very warm, even in extrem cold...

FM

[Mustang]

I'd concur... Either the thermostat. If that doesn't do it, something with the fan.

[Toddzilla]

I think has to do with something under the hood...near the engine, maybe.

[Warhammer]

I agree either the thermostat, or it could be your high speed fan. I guess some cars have two different fans, and oddly enough I notice my fan kicks into high speed when idling, not while driving (has to do with airflow to the engine compartment). Both situations would have the same result though and would result in what you are seeing.

[Glengoyne]

The thermostat is the likely culprit. Although once when this happened to me, I had a baseball sized hole in my radiator.

Edit: If it is the hole in the radiator, then your heater won't work. Just in case.

[Craptacular]

I'd vote thermostat as well. I had one go out about 5 years ago. I drained the coolant, changed the thermostat, refilled the coolant, and it worked fine after that. Well, that particular issue was fine ... the rest of the car went to hell. ;)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I agree either the thermostat, or it could be your high speed fan.

"

[Lonnie]

If not the thermostat it might be your temperature sensor. I had that happen to me recently. I changed the thermostat, flushed the radiator, replaced hoses, finally changed out a $6 part and it started working better.

[stevew]

Maybe a bad relay too? I'll just throw that out there.

[thesloppy]

Pfetzer Valve?

[Warhammer]

I agree either the thermostat, or it could be your high speed fan. I guess some cars have two different fans, and oddly enough I notice my fan kicks into high speed when idling, not while driving (has to do with airflow to the engine compartment). Both situations would have the same result though and would result in what you are seeing.

Forgot to add, this happened to a Chrystler Concorde I drove.

[Pyser]

i had a problem like this with my old neon. it turned out i had a small hole in one of the hoses (i forget which one). $60 for a new hose and all was fine again.