Well, it seems to me, my engine just gets REALLY hot. I'm afraid of it overheating and seeing as it's my only car, i'm trying to avoid that before it happens. I'd like to get a list on all of the factors it could be, or some. Lol. I'm not sure, and being 16 i really don't know what it is. My fans work, and i have coolant, recently put oil in. What can i check to see if it's broken or not working? Also, it's horrible in my car. Summer is here, and it's hot as hell. I got the car with no working A/C. I need new doors so both of my windows can go down instead of just one. But no matter what, hot air comes through my vents. Even on MAX A/C. I've tried changing the lever from cool to hot, and it makes a difference on how hot the air is coming in, but it's still not near cool, or cold. I was told it could have something to do with my heater core lever or something? Please evaluate and i know it's a lot but try and give me ideas on how to fix it, or just find out what's wrong. Thanks guys, i really appreciate the help!

Also, i have it on MAX because hot air comes in on my legs through those vents when i have nothing on. It's really hot air, i'm thinking from my engine bay, and for some reason when everything is off, it flows into my car, making it a really uncomfterably hot ride, the faster i go, the faster it comes into my car. When i turn on MAX it stops, but then a small amount of warm air comes through the vents. Please help.

 

I would take the heater hose and put it from my intake manifold into my water pump . that would make sure no hot air comes from my heater core during the summer (free) . That could somewhat solve the cabin heat . as for the engine , I would hope your car has a water temp gauge

 

what is your temp reading

 

It usually sits at 220 which i was told is still to high, but just two days ago, a half hour drive got me up to
REALLY SORRY for the bad pic, but it's like right by 260 just before the red.

 

Do you have a hole in your firewall?

 

Mine usually gets into the red before my fans kick on, I've been told it's because the gauge reads a section too high, but I'm not entirely sure. What temp thermostat do you have in? do your fans ever come on?

 

that there is getting a little to warm. these cars usually run near the 230 range. on hot air getting in the cab is your hood seal still good.

 

the heater fan runs all the time. unplug it at the heater (under the hood) bend the tab over that goes to the yellow wire and plug it back in. then it will only run when you turn it on.

 

Well I'm not sure about the firewall, i dont know what or where that is. We're buying a thermostat this week and installing it this weekend. I'm not sure what I need exactly. But I'm replacing that, my serpentine belt, and tensioner, this weekend. Are there different thermostats?? And not sure about the hood seal. How do I check all of these???

 

Hot air coming right into the cowl from underhood!!! Makes a lot of sense

 

Do the normal, required maintenance on your cooling system. A good flush, refill with coolant/water mix and a new radiator cap.

Don't trust the dash guage. It didn't work well when new and certainly has not improved in accuracy and precision since.

Check the cable connection to the heater door. Remove the hush panel under the passenger side dash and you'll see a cable going from the HVAC controls to a lever. Make sure it moves with the temp slider and you should be able to hear the door inside open and close. I've seen these broken and disconnected at the lever before.

With it idling in the driveway, ensure the fan(s) come on as it heats up and turn back off as it cools down. It should cycle like this indefinitely.