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

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Old 08-24-2004, 11:52 PM
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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?
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Old 08-25-2004, 12:32 AM
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Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)

are your fans turning on?
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Old 08-25-2004, 07:13 AM
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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.
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Old 08-25-2004, 08:11 AM
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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.
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Old 08-25-2004, 10:52 AM
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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.
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Old 08-25-2004, 01:17 PM
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Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)

k thanks a lot guys
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Old 08-25-2004, 04:01 PM
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Re: My 3.8L heats up at a stoplight (a lot)

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