View Single Post
Old 03-20-2018, 10:04 PM   #5
Blue Bowtie
Registered Offender
 
Blue Bowtie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rural
Posts: 6,517
Thanks: 6
Thanked 341 Times in 336 Posts
Re: Why does engine overheat while sitting at idle ?

If the system cools normally with air flowing through the radiator (moving along the road) the problem is not coolant.

That doesn't mean that coolant shouldn't be replaced on schedule, but that's more to prevent corrosion as much as it is for actual cooling. If the coolant were inadequate or not flowing properly, it would overheat FASTER while driving along the road (more load, more heat generated) and cool off at idle.

If you want to test this theory, place a large poultry or industrial fan in front of the vehicle and allow it to idle with the hood open and fan running full. It will probably never overheat. However, it will be more effective to simply diagnose the fan clutch to see if it is operating properly - or at all.
__________________
Permanent seat assignment on the Group W bench...
Automotive Forums Survival Guide
Blue Bowtie is offline   Reply With Quote