I own a 1998 Pontiac Firebird 5.7 L with the WS6 (ramair) package. I have under 8000 miles on the car. For the six years that I have owned the car my temperature has always remained at 180 deg. This year while im cruising at highway speed my temperature is at 180 deg. But when I stop and let the car idle for 2 minutes the temperature climb to 215 deg and cycles between 215 deg and 210 deg.

I have replaced all of the three relays and tested the two fuses that are responsible for the two cooling fans. The cooling fans will turn on to the high speed when the A/C is turned on. I believe the cooling fans are coming on when the temperature cycles between 215 deg and 210 deg. Of course its almost impossible to see the cooling fans.

My question is why is my temperature well above 180 deg and why has this never happened before in the last 6 years. Has anyone else seen this problem? What are normal cruising temperatures and idle temperatures?

Thanks for your help ahead of time

Dave

 

is there anything blocking air flow through the radiator? I assume the first thing you checked was your antifreeze level but is it still a 50/50 mix? when was the last time it was changed and/or flushed? I'm just thowing ideas out there; have you done anything to your car that may have resulted in getting a little above normal? also the gauge may not be 100% accurate.

 

To my knowledge there is nothing blocking the air flow to the radiator. The car runs cool when I am driving, but when I am idling it heats up. Last year I had the antifreeze flushed and the coolant level indicator in the radiator replaced. Other than having the coolant flushed and the indicator replaced nothing else has been changed since last year. One thing I did notice is there was some crap (sludge) on my reservoir dipstick when I checked the antifreeze level. I have to have less than 1000 miles and 1 year on that antifreeze.