Thread: what in the hell is wrong with my radiator

if you drive the car normally it won't get up to temp it'll get halfway about but when you park it and leave it idle it'll get up to temp or pretty close. why? its winter if that helps but i don't think it matters. thanks

Sounds more thermostat then radiator. What one are you running and how old/many miles is it?

its the original thermo with 121xxx miles

its winter. and they all rise when in park sitting after a while, then drop when moving. sounds kinda normal to me.

First big line is roughly 195º anyway, factory gauge is terrible as telling correct temps.

I would still argue this could be your thermostat. If it were stuck partially open or fully open, at idle the lack of airflow through the radiator would allow the engine temp to rise. At highway speed, the radiator and a stuck thermostat could create an overly cooled engine.

Sure, engines tend to run cooler in the winter and hotter in the summer but over an extended period of driving at any reasonable air temperature, your thermostat should be able to get your engine to the correct operating temp (assuming you are keeping a relatively similar speed).

I'd change the thermostat and check your coolant safe temperature.

Originally Posted by stocker

I would still argue this could be your thermostat. If it were stuck partially open or fully open, at idle the lack of airflow through the radiator would allow the engine temp to rise. At highway speed, the radiator and a stuck thermostat could create an overly cooled engine.

Sure, engines tend to run cooler in the winter and hotter in the summer but over an extended period of driving at any reasonable air temperature, your thermostat should be able to get your engine to the correct operating temp (assuming you are keeping a relatively similar speed).

I'd change the thermostat and check your coolant safe temperature.

This. It's too cheap and easy not to try.