Overheating with AC, saga continues
you start with a cold system, then you open the rad. cap, and start the car, let it run for a few minutes while you look doen into the radiator, and as air pops out u fill it up more until no more bubbles come up, thats what i do, also make sure you open your heater core while u do this, if u have manual just turn heat all the way up it u have auto follow the motovrate(SP?) instructions.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14
Ok, WTF now? Took the car to Jiffy Lube and had them do the coolant system flush service. That didn't help - the temp crept back up with the AC on again. So, I went and bought a new radiator cap - still no difference. What do I look at now? Is it looking like my radiator is shot or what? I have no coolant leaks whatsoever, but I guess if it's clogged, it's clogged, right? I thought the flush would've taken care of that. I'm stumped....anyone have a suggestion as to what I could try next? 
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,205
The water pump works or it doesnt. I have never seen a water pump not pump. People change them because they leak or because the bearings make noise. The worst that can happen is they seize and then the belt would burn off or snap.
Sounds like you need a new radiator.
Sounds like you need a new radiator.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 28
In your original post you said this doesn't happen whenyou are running at normal highway speeds, only at stop and go situations after the A/C is on for about 15 min.
If it doesn't overheat when you have lots of air moving through the radiator then almost surely your water pump and thermostat are ok. Also probably if air in the system ( inadequate bleeding ) was the problem it would overheat at highway speeds. Your situation points toward inadequate cooling from the radiator when there is a lack of big air flow. This could be inadeqate amount of coolant, ineffecient fans(you already said they turn on but perhaps weak motors or blades not moving the air well) , debris clogging the air vanes on the radiator or A/C condensor,or the tubes within the radiator may be clogged. Also look to see that air flow through the radiator is not obstructed by some add on modification either in front of the radiator or blocking outflow of air from the engine compartment.
If it doesn't overheat when you have lots of air moving through the radiator then almost surely your water pump and thermostat are ok. Also probably if air in the system ( inadequate bleeding ) was the problem it would overheat at highway speeds. Your situation points toward inadequate cooling from the radiator when there is a lack of big air flow. This could be inadeqate amount of coolant, ineffecient fans(you already said they turn on but perhaps weak motors or blades not moving the air well) , debris clogging the air vanes on the radiator or A/C condensor,or the tubes within the radiator may be clogged. Also look to see that air flow through the radiator is not obstructed by some add on modification either in front of the radiator or blocking outflow of air from the engine compartment.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 623
Originally Posted by jkslaughter@hot
In your original post you said this doesn't happen whenyou are running at normal highway speeds, only at stop and go situations after the A/C is on for about 15 min.
If it doesn't overheat when you have lots of air moving through the radiator then almost surely your water pump and thermostat are ok. Also probably if air in the system ( inadequate bleeding ) was the problem it would overheat at highway speeds. Your situation points toward inadequate cooling from the radiator when there is a lack of big air flow. This could be inadeqate amount of coolant, ineffecient fans(you already said they turn on but perhaps weak motors or blades not moving the air well) , debris clogging the air vanes on the radiator or A/C condensor,or the tubes within the radiator may be clogged. Also look to see that air flow through the radiator is not obstructed by some add on modification either in front of the radiator or blocking outflow of air from the engine compartment.
If it doesn't overheat when you have lots of air moving through the radiator then almost surely your water pump and thermostat are ok. Also probably if air in the system ( inadequate bleeding ) was the problem it would overheat at highway speeds. Your situation points toward inadequate cooling from the radiator when there is a lack of big air flow. This could be inadeqate amount of coolant, ineffecient fans(you already said they turn on but perhaps weak motors or blades not moving the air well) , debris clogging the air vanes on the radiator or A/C condensor,or the tubes within the radiator may be clogged. Also look to see that air flow through the radiator is not obstructed by some add on modification either in front of the radiator or blocking outflow of air from the engine compartment.
well said
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