Engine temp between 195-220???

[CavLCD128]

2000 Cavalier 2.2L 2200. valve cover gasket recently replaced

when driving it stays between 195-200 (because im moving im assuming the wind keeps it cool) but when i stop it starts goin up, usually stops about 4 or 5 notches before the red zone. the radiator fan usually comes on at 220.
i checked the radiator hoses (upper and lower) after running the engine and the thermostat works because both hoses were hot.

any ideas?

[dynastyperformance]

i have a 1997 z24 and mine is the same way. it may be because the coolant does not flow fast enough to cool it off at idle your guess is as good as mine

[CavLCD128]

i thought someone might say that...someone told me that i should replace the 180 degree thermostat with a 170 or 175

[dynastyperformance]

thats another possibility, i also heard that if you run performance parts on it, the car runs richer and causes it to over heat.
well just have to test it out

[muff34]

maybe the water pump is pooched. depending on mileage I have heard that the impeller becomes worn and does not push enough coolant as a result things get warm. It doesn`t neccessarily have to leak to be bad, just a thought

[|WYG|SS]

my car is doing the same thing and just they other day i open hood after i had let it run and foujnd a little hole in the radiator but yeah check the water pump or posibly a clog too which i doubt.

[jakegday]

if its not going into the red, then there is no problem, my car does the same thing, stays in the middle, until i get stuck sitting in a drive thru or somewhere for 5-10 mins, then it climbs, then the fan kicks on, then it goes back down

a lower temperature thermostat isnt gonna change a damn thing when your sitting still, your radiator fan will still let that needle get that high before kicking on

[CavLCD128]

thats what i thought but ppl tell me the temp shound never get above 195

[Blue Bowtie]

They are telling you wrong. The stock thermostat only begins to open at 195°F, and isn't fully open untial at least 210°F. Changing to a cooler thermostat will not only NOT change the eventual temperature at standing idle (as jakegday mentioned), but may cause some other, unanticiapted problems. Most of the factory programming that I've worked with has closed loop mode CTS parameters at 158°F or higher, and will not allow full duty-cyling of the EGR, EVAP purge, and will prevent PCM adaptive learning overwrites until the coolant is at least 176°F.

Be careful what you wish for...

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by CavLCD128

2000 Cavalier 2.2L 2200. valve cover gasket recently replaced

when driving it stays between 195-200 (because im moving im assuming the wind keeps it cool) but when i stop it starts goin up, usually stops about 4 or 5 notches before the red zone. the radiator fan usually comes on at 220.
i checked the radiator hoses (upper and lower) after running the engine and the thermostat works because both hoses were hot.

any ideas?

That is the way it is made.
If you are not running air cond or have air cond it is normal operation.
Engine cooling fan does not turn on untill around 220 degrees on most cars.
Leave the thermostat alone.

Do you have air cond?
If so turn it on and cooling fan will run all of the time and most of the time keep engine cooler.
MT