01 alero 3.4l high temp during night driving

[scoopy03]

i recently got the oil changed and completed the regular maintenance for it (almost 60k miles). i changed out the fuel filter the old one was all dirty inside (i only changed it because the car wouldnt start turns out the security system prevented me from starting). the only mod i have down to it is a cold air intake right up in the wheel well. at night it is at the middle temp or higher. during the day or at a traffic light it would be always right below the line on the guage. what can i do to lower the temperature so it can run more efficient?

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

Since you probably have the original Dexcool a cooling system flush and new coolant might help. After about 5 years the Dexcool becomes worthless.

Your temperature reading at night doesn't sound that bad and sounds more normal that not. If this is with the A/C off the cooling fans do not turn on unless the engine temperature is around 225 - 230 degrees. During the day if you are running the A/C the temperature will normally be lower because the fans turn on and run more with the A/C on.

As a last resort you could try a 180 degree thermostat.

[scoopy03]

i changed it way before it said too. the main reason i already changed it twice when due to driving it many miles in a day. i know that may be right to do but it has already been done.

[BNaylor]

You can rule the coolant out and it doesn't hurt to flush the cooling system and change it out more frequently.

When you have this problem at night do you ever notice the two coooling fans turning on. How does the engine temperature look during the day with the A/C off?

[scoopy03]

with the a/c it stays the same if not goes higher the middle. its so weird. its in the 80s here in the day time. back when it was 100s here it didnt run that hot. its just overall same spot regardless if it is 100 or 60. the cooling rarely ever come on. it just never runs that hot. it just know the temperature should be lower because when i first got the car the temperature was lower than with the cai

[xeroinfinity]

IMO it sounds like you thermostat is flacky.
Might change it out for the 180deg thermostat,
just my

[scoopy03]

ill try to get that change this week when i have time to get to it. but how much will the 180 degree thermostat really help? i know more about performance improvements like turbos and exhausts and engine swaps and such not as much as going to a 180 degree thermostat though.

[xeroinfinity]

Keeps the engine temps form getting over that 200 deg mark,
and the 180 stat and will keep the engine running cooler.

If one were to totally remove the stat, then the engine wouldnt run realy great because it would run to cool.

But if you engines overheating(that being over 230deg and the fans coming on) you could hav other problems.

It is possible for a thermostat to go bad, or even be bad new.
Dont scimp out on a cheap autozone stat,
go to Napa or a Stealership, thier only like $12-15 there.

[scoopy03]

i went to napa and got a 195 degree thermostat. but im going to install it tomorrow and see if that helps solve the problem some. i think it will be just awhile when i went to get food and all that and paid blah blah i looked at the temperature and it was at the 3/4 mark on the temperature a/c off.

[xeroinfinity]

almost sounds like you may hav yourself another problem if its getting that hot.

Ever had the lower intake manifold(LIM) gaskets replaced?

You also could hav a small air pocket traped in hte cooling system causing it to run hot.
You bleed the air out when you changed the last thermostat ?

[scoopy03]

well im going to change it in the morning ill let u know how it goes.