1997 Neon Espresso Coupe Overheats
 

My 1997 DOHC Espresso coupe has stared running hot
<sometimes>. For the past 7 years, the temp gauge
needle never went over 1/3 from "C". Lately, when in
slow traffic, it has started creeping up. It hasn't
reached the "H" yet but it is over 2/3 up. It only
does this when the A/C is on in slow traffic. (The A/C
blows nice cold air). Coolant level is OK. Car runs
fine. If I turn the A/C off the needle drops back to
the 1/3 mark. If I am traveling at highway speed, it's
OK. I took the car into the dealer, who ran it all
day, in the sun, A/C on and it ran fine with no
problem codes from the computer. Same for me, until 3
days later and now it's doing it again. Outside temps
here are in the +105° to +112° range. Dealer says as
long as it stays in the bracketed area on the gauge
it's OK, and won't throw codes until it actually
reaches the "H". When I pop the hood and look inside
when it's going hot, both fans are running.
If it ran this way from the start, 7 years ago, I'd say it was
normal too, but this is a change from the norm and I am
concerned. I have the following on my THINGS TO DO to
the Neon list:
Replace hoses, thermostat and complete flush.
Any other ideas or suggestions???? Thanks in advance.

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 21:01:58 -0700, ZZ wrote:

> My 1997 DOHC Espresso coupe has stared running hot
> <sometimes>. For the past 7 years, the temp gauge
> needle never went over 1/3 from "C". Lately, when in
> slow traffic, it has started creeping up. It hasn't
> reached the "H" yet but it is over 2/3 up. It only
> does this when the A/C is on in slow traffic. (The A/C
> blows nice cold air). Coolant level is OK. Car runs
> fine. If I turn the A/C off the needle drops back to
> the 1/3 mark. If I am traveling at highway speed, it's
> OK. I took the car into the dealer, who ran it all
> day, in the sun, A/C on and it ran fine with no
> problem codes from the computer. Same for me, until 3
> days later and now it's doing it again. Outside temps
> here are in the +105° to +112° range. Dealer says as
> long as it stays in the bracketed area on the gauge
> it's OK, and won't throw codes until it actually
> reaches the "H". When I pop the hood and look inside
> when it's going hot, both fans are running.
> If it ran this way from the start, 7 years ago, I'd say it was
> normal too, but this is a change from the norm and I am
> concerned. I have the following on my THINGS TO DO to
> the Neon list:
> Replace hoses, thermostat and complete flush.
> Any other ideas or suggestions???? Thanks in advance.

The fact that it's different between slow moving and highway speeds would
indicate to me that the radiator is (partially) clogged. The increased
air flow is enough to cool the radiator with only partial coolant flow.
Check that the radiator feels the same (with the back of your hand) from
top to bottom, and I suspect you'll find the bottom half of the radiator
is "cold".

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 21:01:58 -0700, ZZ wrote:

> My 1997 DOHC Espresso coupe has stared running hot
> <sometimes>. For the past 7 years, the temp gauge
> needle never went over 1/3 from "C". Lately, when in
> slow traffic, it has started creeping up. It hasn't
> reached the "H" yet but it is over 2/3 up. It only
> does this when the A/C is on in slow traffic. (The A/C
> blows nice cold air). Coolant level is OK. Car runs
> fine. If I turn the A/C off the needle drops back to
> the 1/3 mark. If I am traveling at highway speed, it's
> OK. I took the car into the dealer, who ran it all
> day, in the sun, A/C on and it ran fine with no
> problem codes from the computer. Same for me, until 3
> days later and now it's doing it again. Outside temps
> here are in the +105° to +112° range. Dealer says as
> long as it stays in the bracketed area on the gauge
> it's OK, and won't throw codes until it actually
> reaches the "H". When I pop the hood and look inside
> when it's going hot, both fans are running.
> If it ran this way from the start, 7 years ago, I'd say it was
> normal too, but this is a change from the norm and I am
> concerned. I have the following on my THINGS TO DO to
> the Neon list:
> Replace hoses, thermostat and complete flush.
> Any other ideas or suggestions???? Thanks in advance.

The fact that it's different between slow moving and highway speeds would
indicate to me that the radiator is (partially) clogged. The increased
air flow is enough to cool the radiator with only partial coolant flow.
Check that the radiator feels the same (with the back of your hand) from
top to bottom, and I suspect you'll find the bottom half of the radiator
is "cold".

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951