Tempature gauge increases when idling

[M7x350z]

I have a 00' Grand Prix GTP with 117k miles on it. I noticed when I'm cruising down the freeway or driving around town, the tempature gauge is sitting at around 185-195. When I put it in park and let it sit for a couple minutes, the tempature gage rises to well over the 210 mark. It doesn't reach the red zone, but it got kinda close. Any ideas on what could be the problem?

[industrialfish]

Are your fans coming on? Got enough coolant? Probably needs a thermostat.

[M7x350z]

I just got a coolant flush so that couldn't be the problem. I ordered a 180* tstat a few days ago because I thought that was the problem. How would I test to see if the fans come on?

[Russosaur]

Pop the hood and shine a flashlight see if the fans turn on either at temp 210 or so or when the AC is on.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

[QUICKSILVER462]

Temperature rising during idle Is normal, to a degree. Check and make sure full of water and no air in the system, and that the radiator cap holds pressure.
If the temp drop as soon as you start driving, it is a good indication that there is air in the system and also will need coolant, then check and find out why it is low on coolant.

[M7x350z]

Thanks for the advice. How would I check to see if there is air in the system or not?

[Russosaur]

Run the car with the rad cap off, let it warm up to the temp of the tstat you have 195 if stock or when the top rad house is nice and hot. Make sure its full with coolant then crack the bleeder on top of the stat housing. Leave it open till a solid stream of coolant runs out close it. Top off the rad, put cap back on and ur good. But it sounds like you could be really low on coolant.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

[M7x350z]

I will try that. I got the LIM gaskets changed not to long ago. My brother did it since I'm still a beginner technician. I watched a video on how to change them and when the guy put it all back together, he did something with the bleeder that my brother never did. Could that be the issue?

[Russosaur]

Possibly, that and make sure your fans are coming on.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

[M7x350z]

My fans do work. The engine was a little warmer(as per the usual) and so I went to see if they were spinning. Low and behold they were spinning away. What happens when I open the bleeder a bit?

[ericspecullaas]

if you have air it should come out if not coolant should come out. but know this if you open it and let the car cool down you will force air back into the system

[Russosaur]

If the car is on, coolant with come out of it.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

[231FUN]

Bleeder opens to purge air from the coolant system, when operating temp is reached crack bleeder till a steady stream of coolant pisses out then close it. At that point you know the air has been purged.

[M7x350z]

Alright so I got the new 180* tstat in and did exactly what you said to. Cracked the bleeder when it got up to temp and very little air bubbles came out, then a stream of coolant, and then I tightened it back up. I still have yet to test drive it, which is what I'll do in a bit. I'll get back with ya later.

[Scottydoggs]

these engines always seem to idle hotter vs moving. even in traffic they temp goes up, pretty normal as long as its not into the red.

[Russosaur]

I'd say normal is when it hits 210 or a mark or 2 above then drops then goes back up and drops when parked for a bit, just the fans kicking on and off. If you got anything to scan with you could see what temp your coolant is reaching if your that concerned.

[M7x350z]

Really? That's really never happened with me before. Maybe it has and I just didn't notice! Anyway, went for a test drive and the temp gauge while cruising has decreased to a lower tempature. I'm not surprised since I lowered the temp on the tstat. After I drove it, I parked on the side of the street and the temp gauge started to go up again, then decreased slightly and didn't move. Could it be the coolant temp sensor?

[Russosaur]

To me that sounds normal, you would have to sit a bit for the coolant in the rad to warm up enough for the temp to rise. Least thats what I'v noticed

[M7x350z]

I started to notice that too. It seems as if the problem is fixed. At idle, it sits 1 bar below 210. Is that normal?

[Scottydoggs]

210 is where it wants to run. so yes thats fine.

the 180 t stat not doing a thing either. but staying open full time. come winter it will run to cold and your mpg will likely suffer.

its gonna hit 210 with a 180, or a 195 t stat installed.