Well like the title says my car get way hot as in 240+ whiule driving on the interstate, but only with my AC on. If I cut my AC off temps will drop back to 200 or so. I have a switch wired into my fan relay so I can turn it on at will, but with the AC running it is already on.... I installed a 180 deg thermostat, and fluid is fairly fresh. I dont have the factory air dam, but I made one that sticks down 6 inches and raked forward about 30 degrees but it really dont seem to help. If Im just driving around town speeds 45 or less if I cut my fan on with my new swwitch my temps stay around 160-200. Once I hit the highway though temps jump, especially going up hills.

My car is flat black and ambient temps are 95+ so I kinda need my AC, but I also kinda dont lke my car going over 240deg. at what point does the oil start cooking?

 

Guess I should add, its a 2.8 with auto tranny. Stock. Single electrik fan. And when I changed out the Thermostat to the 180 I asked for the stock one, just 180 deg. the one they gave me seems likeit is almost to small. in the block where it sits the hole is recessed for the t-stat flange. but hte t-stat is smaller diameter by about 2MM is this an issue?

 

hmm... Lots of views, no advise. Well one more thing to add. While installing some strips of foam between the core support and the AC radiator looking thing, (condenser??) I found that under my air box there wa a plastic shelf that seems to block air from under the car from reaching the top half of the rad. Im sure it has a purpose, but Im desperate here os it is now sitting in my shed. Im guessing that it is to keep water from hiting my filters if I go through a puddle, but I am going to try with out it.

i also diddnt like the looks inside my Rad so I drained it and refilled with water and Prestone Radiator super cleaner. you are supposed to drive the car for about 6 hours with this stuff in so I figure 2 hours to work and two hours home in three days should be plenty. Ill back flush it on Tuesday.

i cant afford to loose my AC, as I sweat like a pig without it in my nice black car, but at the same time 240+ temps cant be good..... Can they?

For the love of god someone please respond, even if it is to tell me I am a nut and these temps are safe.

 

maybe get a new sensor to check temp.. maybe your gauge is broken. i doubt it but you never know.. also .. try replacing th thermostat again.. they are cheap and usually the culprit in this case. also.. you probably have 2 fans.. check both work.. the right side should only come on when the a/c is on. the left side should come on when it hits 180 and off at 160. i could be wrong with the numbers. but it should not be overheating..

 

Had the very same problem on another V6. Turned out to be the waterpump. Was cavitating at higher rpms and couldn't cool the engine under the higher loads (highway + A/C on).

I'm not claiming that your problem is necessarily the water pump, just stating that I had the same symptoms and a new water pump solved it.

Is your pump new/old?

Also, it could be a blockage in the cooling system. Did you try backflushing it? And the radiator too?

Lou

 

will be backflushing it on Tuesday, might try the waterpump as I dont know how old mine is.

 

The air dam is not supposed to force air into the radiator area, but rather create a vacuum to draw the air out of the area behind the radiator - the fan draws the air through. Your "rake" may be affecting it some.