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Engine temp rising at idle

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Old 02-05-03, 10:55 PM
  #1  
Lvangundy
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Default Engine temp rising at idle

Noticed some weird things with my LS tonight..

First thing was about 2 weeks ago I noticed when I turn the A/C on the car idles really low like its about to stall then slowly revs back up to 900 RPM where it's supposed to be when the A/C is on. someone suggested flushing the coolant (A/C or radiator/engine coolant? )

Tonight, I was idling for about 2 minutes and the temp guage was higher than I've ever seen it, but not near the 3/4 mark..more like 5/8 point.

When shifting out of P or D or R, the RPM's drop and the car shakes also.

After all that, the car is losing oil like crazy. I know the seal on the oil pan is bad, but could it be the main seal? I'm adding oil about every week.

Last edited by Lvangundy; 02-05-03 at 10:56 PM.
Old 02-05-03, 11:11 PM
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meZoom!
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not sure bout the LS, but on the ES, a leak from the gasket pan and a leak from any of the seals are two different spots on the driveway. time to lick the driveway.
Old 02-06-03, 06:16 AM
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mlevk
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Hi LVNGY

First I would take care of the OIL problem(s).
How much OIL / MILELAGE are you adding ?
If you are adding a QT / 500 mi , I would say
you are having a serious problem. If it doesn't
show on the driveway, then the RINGS are bad.

OIL also acts a conductor for "cooling" the engine
to some degree. So if you are LOW on oil when
this happens then the TEMP GAUGE will rise.

A coolant change/flush would help, but have you had the
THERMOSTAT replaced yet ? I had mine done when the T-BELT
was done and it's the best money spent along with changing
out the WATER PUMP.

Those are the 2 things I can think of.
As for the idle problems , I check the TPS.
I think you had it off ? the TB, if so the
TPS needs to be adjusted when placed back on the TB.
IF you just had the TB off , then I think you are OKAY.
Old 02-08-03, 01:16 PM
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VVT-i
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About your temp. rising up at idle, I think you may get a lot of debris bluid up between the radiotor and the a/c condensor. Just remove the 2, 12mm nuts that whole the radiator brackets and push the radiator toward the engine(you can get about 2 inches of clearance). You may surprise how much stuff can bluid up around that area. This's just a quick check and cheapest one.
Or your fan clutch defected or the water pump start to wear out.
Old 02-16-03, 10:31 AM
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DevilDog
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Originally posted by VVT-i
About your temp. rising up at idle, I think you may get a lot of debris bluid up between the radiotor and the a/c condensor. Just remove the 2, 12mm nuts that whole the radiator brackets and push the radiator toward the engine(you can get about 2 inches of clearance). You may surprise how much stuff can bluid up around that area. This's just a quick check and cheapest one.
Or your fan clutch defected or the water pump start to wear out.

I second that! Very common to get a ton of junk built up in front of the radiator.

DD
Old 02-18-03, 06:17 PM
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Lvangundy
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Will check that someday..

But I did go to the dealer and had them drain and refill my coolant and replace my thermostat (thanks DD for the instructions but couldn't get to actually doing it myself.)

Haven't noticed it rising yet, but haven't driven alot yet either.

Thanks everyone!
Old 02-18-03, 06:39 PM
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DevilDog
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Originally posted by Lvangundy
Will check that someday..
Don't wait too long. Next thing you know, it's hot, your ac is not cooling as well, and the temp needle is climbing!

DD
Old 02-19-03, 07:28 AM
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Lvangundy
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I think the coolant change and t- stat replacement did the job.

Car seems to run a *bit* faster as doing my 'lvangundy' 0-60 tests yielded a solid 8.5 in the middle of the day.

The needle isn't moving above the halfway mark at all now.

The cost?

$100 in labor and tax and $20 for the 'hazardous waste' (coolant) charge.

Last edited by Lvangundy; 02-19-03 at 07:29 AM.
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