I have a 1988 camaor Iroc-z 5.0(TPI) with a 5-speed tranny. My car overheats(engine temp goes up) when I am sitting in traffic for too long(about 10 minutes), but once I start moving a little more consistently the car cools down. It's not too big of a problem but if i want to go cruising or im stuck in traffic it causes a lot of trouble I have a fan but I have to turn it on manually with a switch. I leave this fan on as soon as I start the car. I drained and replaced the coolant, bought a new radiator cap, and replaced the top radiator hose. Im gonan replace the bottom one cause it looks pretty old. I think it might have an ADS thermostat. Please let me know if you have any info on my problem. THanks for your time.

 

sounds like the air dam is inplace and working since it cools down on the highway.

what temp does it go up to? and the lowest u have seen?

a 180 temp stat should work well..

could be a clogged system, maybe in the heater core or something, what type of coolant mixture are you running?

 

It will go to 220 gradually whiole sitting in place but then will start picking up from there traveling to the redzone.

 

MDFormula350 is right on try using a 180 stat and make sure you have all the air out of the system.Air will cause you to overheat also.

 

Also check your timeing. To slow will also cause overheating. Make sure your at least at 6*BTDC.

 

You know my car does lag when I push the gas so it might be the timing contribting to it. What are the timing specs suppose to be for my car?

 

It should be 6* BTDC or what ever the decal says thats on the underside of your hood.Check it I bet it says 6* idleing in neutral.

 

Not good after 220°; normal operating range is 195°-215°

Here's a link that might help, there are more article links at the bottom of the page.Cooling
heres's the homepage .Arrow Head Radiator

 

Are you sure that your fan is turning on with the switch? That is the only logical thing I can think of. It cannot be clogged or the thermostat since it cools normally when you are moving. All that leaves is the fan unless i'm missing somthing.

 

Are you sure that the gauge is reading correctly? That might be something else to check.

 

Use an infra red thermometer to scan various parts of the radiator. If you see it going (from driver side top to pass side bottom) colder gradually, you are ok. If you see a cold spot, your radiator is shot.

 

But why would it cool normally when he was moving if it was a clogged radiator?