My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

This has been happening for the past couple months. It normally runs at aroun 185 but when i pull up to a stop light, or am just idleing for a little i can watch the temp guage go up past 210 in less than 30 seconds. When i get going again and get the wind blowing into it it cools back down to 185. What's the deal?

Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

are your fans turning on?

Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

my old 96 ta ran at around 210 in the summer. maybe it was only cause it was LT1, but i was told it was normal as long as it didnt get to around 230-240, then you have a problem.

Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

I had that happen to me when I had air in the system.

Could be several things:

Normal operation, vehicle has a low-temp thermostat but fans don't come on till 210-220.

Water pump is having problems and is only moving coolant at above idle rpms.- or other restriction causing flow problems at idle.

A leak that is letting air into the system.

If you can actually see the gauge moving up, it's probably the last item. I could watch the gauge go up to 3/4, then drop like a rock when some coolant finally came through. It was my water pump gasket. I'm glad I don't have that anymore. I know that can't be good on the heads or gasket.

Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

It's supposed to do that... the fans don't kick in at idle until 210 degrees or so.

If this bothers you, install a manual fan switch.

Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

k thanks a lot guys

Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)
 

I'll sell you a manual fan swith for $25.