Ever since I've owned this car (5 years) when idling for awhile/sitting in traffic the temp would always go way up. I remember starting a thread about this when I installed a 160 stat but everyone said that's normal. I went along with that until I found out my friend's Trans Am runs MUCH!!! cooler than my car. So, here are the pictures of how high it goes:

Pic1
Pic2

When I'm going 45-50 or a constant speed it stays nice and low, but once I slow it just goes high as hell. So, is this the stock temp? And either way, how do I make it lower (I have a fan switch that I have to install but perhaps it's a water pump or something?).

Thanks for the help.

 

I had similiar things happen to my car. Everyone said it was normal....
I think having AC reduces the effectiveness of the cooling system, but when you run the A/C on it actually turns the cooling fans on a bit sooner. So as a bandaid you can turn your ac to cool it down in traffic...

Back to the real problem though... You may want to do a full coolant system flush and make sure your coolant is at around 50/50 mix. After flushing my coolant out, even though it wasn that old... my car ran a good bit cooler in traffic! it would still rise up that high if you sit long enough, but before it would reach that point fairly soon after stopping.

Check for blockage on your radiator fins, you may want to blow compressed air (I actualy used just a hose and water) from the back towards the front of the radiator, sand, dirt and things get caught in the radiator over time.

Finally, make sure your systems properly bled. Lots of links on proper coolant bleeding procedures on this board

Stock on the hwy the needles just around the first mark on the guage. with the 160 it should be a tad below that on the guage.

Also, check to see if both the cooling fans are working. Maybe one of them is out?

 

Looks perfectly normal for a car with stock cooling system. Mine ran right around 200-220 in traffic when I first bought it. The factory fans are set to come on at what... 230ºF??

These engines were designed to run a bit hotter (gauge temp)... probably for emissions reasons.

Do a coolant system flush, then go to the 160 stat. From there, you can run an electric water pump if you want to get the temps down. I'd start with the flush and stat and see what that does for you.

-Mindgame

 

I actually have the 160 stat already. When I'm actually moving the temp is great, it's just when I slow down that it starts to creep up. I'll try the coolant flush.

How much lower would the temps get with an electric water pump?

 

You need to either get some programming to get the fans to come on earlier or install your fan switch. Mine was the same way. Once the fan switch was installed the temps would stay way low, even in traffic idling.
I have a different combo now, and it might run a tad higher but once my fans kick on she stays still and doesn't creep up. I still have my fan switch installed. I need to learn not to use it sooo much! The reprogrammed PCM does it now. Just an old habit!

 

The easiest way is to get a Jet fan switch. It turns your fans on at 180 degrees. Summit sells them for $45.

 

I actually have an SLP fan switch...I just have to install it.

 

Sameone I got. I was going to dothe jet switch but I didn't want the mess of draining coolant and swapping the sensor. Either one is fine. Only thing is you have to remember to turn the switch on. I am so use to it I have to learn to leave it off.