Question about Overheating while stopped

[darnsuprat]

I've read a lot of posts here about the venture overheating. I have an 02. While stopped at red lights or in the drive thru etc, the temp will rise to about 3/4 but will quickly come back down when driving.
Has anyone here experienced this? I changed the thermostat thinking it will solve the problem but that didn't do it. The coolant is still good and doesn't seem to be mixed with oil or anything like that.
Is this head gasket or intake gasket or what?

[serial]

I have the same problem. I've had the intake gasket replaced and it still does it.

It doesn't happen at every stop but likely a few times a week. I'm ignoring it for now.

[darnsuprat]

Wish I knew what the problem is. I'm worried that in the summer, it'll just get worst. We're in Florida and it's December and the temp gauge is rising at stop lights........I'm worried what's going to happen in summer. We've been having warm temps here in Tampa for a few weeks now.
Did you have the intake gasket replaced by the dealer? Did the mechanic know why the temp is still creeping up even after the gasket change?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by darnsuprat

I've read a lot of posts here about the venture overheating. I have an 02. While stopped at red lights or in the drive thru etc, the temp will rise to about 3/4 but will quickly come back down when driving.
Has anyone here experienced this? I changed the thermostat thinking it will solve the problem but that didn't do it. The coolant is still good and doesn't seem to be mixed with oil or anything like that.
Is this head gasket or intake gasket or what?

Might be just normal operation.
Dash gages are just tempt indicators.
We would need to know true tempt it is getting to.
A electric fan with AC off does not kick in until around 220 degrees.
Turn defrost or ac on and see if it holds around 195-200 degrees
The fan should run all of the time with AC on.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Might be just normal operation.

That's my theory too. Both of my Ventures have acted that way for years, even through intake gasket changes and numerous thermostat replacements. The coolant levels have remained constant with no other problems.

[GregA]

I believe this is "Normal" too.

The issue I have with my Venture is that there are no "Temperature Readings" (number) and the gauge. So I decided to do some measurements and draw some numbers on a picture of my temperature gauge. Your results may vary. I have the results at the following link.

Temperature Gauge w/Numbers

Take Care,

[darnsuprat]

Great job GregA.
So, if your numbers/drawing is accurate, then that means the normal operating temperature is between 198 and 212, correct? When stopped, my temp climbs anywhere from 212 to just past the 226 mark. I check my coolant once a week to make sure there's no sign of a bhg.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by GregA

I believe this is "Normal" too.

The issue I have with my Venture is that there are no "Temperature Readings" (number) and the gauge. So I decided to do some measurements and draw some numbers on a picture of my temperature gauge. Your results may vary. I have the results at the following link.

Temperature Gauge w/Numbers

Take Care,

Dash tempt and dash oil gauges all depend on electrical sensors to tell them what to do.
For the dash tempt gauge. Here is the best thing to check it.
http://www.calright.com/_coreModules...FRieWAodkzhWpA
But the tempt sensor that works the electric fan on and off is a different tempt sensor for the PCM.
Both should be checked if any overheating problems.
The best way to hold the tempt down at a stop light or sitting still is with the defrost or AC on which should keep the fan running all or most of the time.
MT

[GregA]

Originally Posted by darnsuprat

Great job GregA.
So, if your numbers/drawing is accurate, then that means the normal operating temperature is between 198 and 212, correct? When stopped, my temp climbs anywhere from 212 to just past the 226 mark. I check my coolant once a week to make sure there's no sign of a bhg.

Thanks for the input. I believe that should be about right, but on my van the gauge sits around the 184 mark. Since I bought it used, I kind of suspect that maybe it has a 180 degree thermostat in it.

Also, when my van is stopped (sitting in the driveway or in the drive-thru), it does pretty much the same thing as your van (200-to-226). I took the data from a couple of cycles and plotted it the following page. It shows that the fans turn ON at about 225 degrees F (just what the factory manual says 220-230).

Engine Cooling Cycle

Take Care,

[GregA]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Dash tempt and dash oil gauges all depend on electrical sensors to tell them what to do.
For the dash tempt gauge. Here is the best thing to check it.
http://www.calright.com/_coreModules...FRieWAodkzhWpA
But the tempt sensor that works the electric fan on and off is a different tempt sensor for the PCM.
Both should be checked if any overheating problems.
The best way to hold the tempt down at a stop light or sitting still is with the defrost or AC on which should keep the fan running all or most of the time.
MT

I agree. I plan on verifying my numbers with a tool such as you mention, I just don't have one handy. I also agree that the best way to keep the temp down is to get the fans to come on, as you mentioned above.

I am not aware of a separate temperature sensor for the fans and the PCM, at least for my year van. According to the information I have, the sensor input goes to the PCM and then the PCM controls the fans. See link below (info is based on data from the factory manual).

Engine Cooling System

Take Care,

[bleepster]

I have an '04 Venture. During the summer, my temp. gage is always pointing straight up - 212 degrees. While waiting in a drive thru - it may climb to about 226, and stay there.

once drive starts again, it goes back to 212 degrees.

now its colder out (michigan) - its about 205 degrees

the topic of this post is "over heating while stopped" - not being a smart butt, but you HAVENT over heated. Temp gauge has not gone into the red, no steam etc.

to me, there is NO problem. So try to not let it bother you.

(all my temps reference GREGA's gage he made)

[GregA]

Just an UPDATE: I used an Infrared Thermometer from an auto shop and have VERIFIED the numbers I got for the temperatures on my van. It showed that the temperature readings were within a few degrees (F) when measured within about 1 inch of the sensor (around the thermostat housing).

Take Care,

[kidfam]

I have been experiencing this issue lately with my 98 Olds Silhouette however, when I go under the hood I have found the drivers side fan it not running. Jingling the wires and connector seems to get the fan running and the temperature on the gauge goes from 3/4 back to a little over 1/4 scale

['97ventureowner]

Please do not resurrect old threads. If you have something new to add, start a new one.Posting in closed or outdated threads