How hot should my 2003 Grand am GT get at idle? advise plz!

[Talon69]

I have a 2003 Grand am GT 3.4 and i have only had this car for about 3 weeks so i am not to sure what range is normal, i did try to search a bit on here but would like some more input please.

Driving down the roaad at any speed it runs right at 200 degrees which i think is normal, but this morning sitting in the parking lot at work i wanted to see how high it would go at idling and with the temp outside at 43 degrees the temp stop climbing at looks like between 220 to 230 degrees.

Is this normal? i have not checked to see if the fans are kicking on, im just assuming they are. Should i change my coolant?

What is going to happen when it gets 80 degrees outside? am i in for some trouble?

i have attached a photo on where the needle was sitting

Thank you guys in advance for the answers

Click on image to expand it

[thephantom1492]

My GA 2002 2.4 will idle at roughtly 90C, which is the same temperature as running.

However when driving you have airflow cooling the engine. So it might get a bit hotter.

Basically, the thermostat open when warm, then the cooling fans will kick in at low speed when hotter and finally will go full blast when even hotter.

A gas engine, without active cooling, could reach meltdown temperature even at idle.

Those GA engines are made to be hot.

My suggestion: when the cooling fan kick in, the temperature shouln't continue to raise. If it does then there is a problem.

[Talon69]

thanxs for some info, but i will keep looking around as the more i look at the needle in that pic the more i really do not think that is normal, it is suppose to be 60 degrees tomorrow, so i am going to let it run as long as it takes and see what happens. See how high the temp will get and see if the fans are actually kicking on. the coolant could also be old and need a good flushing, but that really will not effect the temp that much like i am experiencing.

[Tech II]

The only real way to test a thermostat, is with scan tool and a road test.....by driving the vehicle, and having constant air flow over the radiator, you will get a more exact reading of when the therm opens and closes(cycles)....

I believe the low speed fan comes on at 218F, and the high speed comes on at 228F......so the gages are in the ball park(should check to see if the fan(s) come on at those temps).....

[Talon69]

ok after watching this for a few days and letting idle for long period of times, i have noticed the needle will not get any higher than in the picture i posted, when the needle seems to reach that point i notice after a few seconds it will start to go down slowly then after a bit it works its way back up, then once again will start to go back down. So that means my fans are kicking on like they should at low and high

So with your guys input and what i have read, this is completely normal and is designed to run this hot like it was mentioned by you all

Thank you for the help guys