Overheating!

Hello, first post; so I hope I give you all the details. I have had consistent problems with the overheating of this car. First the symptoms: Car runs fine on the highway, but in traffic it intermmittently begins to overheat. I turn off A/C, that helps some, I turn on Heater, and it cools down. It may start back up in a few, it might not. The electric cooling fan motor has been replaced within the last 8 months or so, it was a used one, but works (though, maybe it isn't switching on at the appropriate times???) There is no coolant loss, there was for a bit but that was due to a bad waterpump/WP seal (fixed, under warranty). One of the heater hoses has a bulge near the clip by the firewall, and I see some white spittle in the general area, on firewall and nearby things - small leak of coolant? I can see some coolant residue by the hose connection on the right hand side of the radiator (the one going into the engine). I felt the Radiator and it seems to be hot at both the left and right side (I thought I read that one side (left, or right) should be cooler; or was it top and bottom?) Also, There is no leak on the floor panel in the car (I was told this might indicate a bad heater core).

So, I am beginning to go crazy and want to find out what the hell is wrong with it. I have new heater hoses, and plan on replacing them. The thermostat was changed a couple of years ago, with the water pump, and it has had problems overheating since then; could this possibly accelerate a thermostat going bad?

Please let me know any advice you have...I am at my wits end and would like to beat this problem myself, not take it to a mechanic...

Thanks - Aaron

i would remove the questionable hoses and clean the metal fittings and replace the hoses... as for the overheating bench test the etc (engine temp control) sensor (controls fan(s)) the temps for the top and bottom of the radiator you shouldnt beable to feel a difference in temps a radiator maintains a proper temp and not cools the engine substanily... i would replace the thermostat again with the hoses just to be safe... *reminder* clean your fittings to ensure a good seal

I had this problem. Your thermostat could be stuck- so buy a new one to replace the one you have now and also, check to make sure your radiator has no leaks. I replaced both of these and my car completely stopped overheating.