Overheating when engine off..weird

i have a 97 ply. neon with about 157K kms on it. a year ago replaced the radiator due to a huge crack; hoses are new as well.

recently ive noticed that when i drive the car for a while and turn it off and then turn the ignition back to the electrical accessories (radio and gauges work, engine not running) the temperature gauge shoots up to about 80% of the gauge.

Strangely enuf, the car , while driving and idle, is at a good temperature and doesnt show any overheating. (up to about 40% of the gauge). Is this abnormal and if so whats causing it??

Both electrical fans are working and coolant level is fine. engine oil level is also fine.

djphild

It's called heat soak. The coolant needs to be circulating to shed its heat. When you shut the engine off, the coolant in the block just sits there, absorbing heat. I assume that when you restart the motor, the temperature comes down to normal range. If so, everything is working perfectly normally and there is no need for concern.

Do you shut the engine off immediately when you stop?

I assume that when you restart the motor, the temperature comes down to normal range.


Yes, as soon as i restart the engine the gauge drops to about the 40% range which is about normal for my car.

djphild

Do you shut the engine off immediately when you stop?

Depends. Sometime I do shut it off immediately, like when i get home.

But sometimes when im waiting for someone, I leave the engine running cause Ive heard (correct me if im wrong) that turning off your engine and restarting it within a short period is "bad" for the engine and uses up more fuel.

djphild

But sometimes when im waiting for someone, I leave the engine running cause Ive heard (correct me if im wrong) that turning off your engine and restarting it within a short period is "bad" for the engine and uses up more fuel.You get most metal to metal contact on start-up before the oil gets flowing.

I'd like to thank those who replied to my post. The help is greatly appreciated. I dont want to run to a mechanic and have my wallet squeezed dry. Its harder to find a honest mechanic than it is to find a honest woman in my town.....I think.

Has anyone else noticed this "phenomenon" happen to their cars?

djphild.

Is it only the gauge that is showing a problem ? or are you losing coolant as well , such as your cap is popping open / off and steam hissing or the like.

Is it only the gauge that is showing a problem ? or are you losing coolant as well , such as your cap is popping open / off and steam hissing or the like.

Its just the gauge thats showing this increased temperature. My coolant leve is fine. No other problems with the cap or hoses or reservoir. Its all in good shape. I rechecked everything a few hours ago.

djphild

I'd like to thank those who replied to my post. The help is greatly appreciated. I dont want to run to a mechanic and have my wallet squeezed dry. Its harder to find a honest mechanic than it is to find a honest woman in my town.....I think.

Has anyone else noticed this "phenomenon" happen to their cars?

djphild.

My origional Neon's engine did this. (98) And for $200.00 the dealership "fixed it for me so that it wouldn't hurt my engine. Go ahead----everybody laugh. I was young an naieve...lol. Moral of the story...it ran an entire racing season after that doing the exact same thing. And that wasn't what ruined the engine.