Well, actually, it doesn't OVERHEAT, just runs too hot.

Since I bought the car in May, I've:

-flushed complete coolant system and replaced with proper mix
-changed out water pump with new stock one
-checked timing
-swapped to a 180* thermo
-checked fins on radiator; they look ok
-checked hoses; they're ok
-replaced airdam with NEW one

I have my cooling fan on ALL THE TIME when the car is on. If I am going down the interstate, the temp stays BARELY above the 1/4 mark but if my driving becomes spirited in any way, the temp wants to climb and doesn't seem to want to come back down from say 1/2-3/4...

Any ideas or is this just normal?

BTW: If my cooling fan is not on all the time, my car WILL overheat unless on the interstate or just idling...

ANY IDEAS?

 

if it's not actually boiling over it may not have a problem, the dash gauges on these cars are crap and I wouldn't rely on it for a accurate reading.

 

In response my friend had the very same problems as you and replaced all the same things. He finally realized that it was the heater core. For some reason it wasnt letting water out it was just sucking air into the system causing air pockets. NOT GOOD FOR A PRESSURIZED SYSTEM. You should try bypassing the heater core for a little bit and see if that solves anything if that doesnt do it man I have no idea what could be the problem maybe a blocked port in the block or heads thats making the water force through a smaller area creating less flow? Hope I helped.

Tyler

 

I've thought actually about just changing the heater core too...

One thing I have noticed is the cabin near the floor is ALWAYS hot. Is that another heater core problem/sign?

 

Yes that means that air is getting in and out of the area and the fact that its hot means that it might implode at any time. So changing it would be advised.

Tyler

 

1/2 3/4 ain't normal. You got dual fans constant power both running?

 

Dual fans, but I only hard-wired one.