overheating ???

i have posted some previous issues and had great success with your guys/girls help. I yet again have another issue that is plaguing me. (1998 Dodge Neon SOHC) Every once in a while for quite some time now, if you let the neon idle in park, the temp will spike up pretty rapidly to high temps, like temps that set the vehicles warning buzzer. If you throw the car in drive and take off, it'll drop back down to normal temp relatively quickly.

This has happened 2 times in the last week, and before that, i can remember like 2 or 3 times in the last several months. I tried letting it run when at home to try and diagnosis the problem, but i left it running a good 30 minutes, and it never went over normal operating temp.

Anybody have any input??

I'd check your coolant level and make sure you have the proper mixture. Your thermostat may be sticking open also.

Check to make sure the fan is working. If there is no air flowwing through the radiator, the coolant will not cool.

my 97 did the same thing. problem was the water pump. it took out my timing belt, thus rendering my engine junk. i would recommend replacing both asap to avoid further frustration.