boiling under hood?

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Jun 29, 2007 | 11:59 AM
  #1  
After running my car around town for about an hour my temp gauge reads just under 220. This is normal driving in about 75 degrees weather. The car runs fine and every now and again the temp will drop to the normal 110-115 range.

The real problem is when I stop my car and turn it off. It makes this bubbling boiling sound from underneath the hood. It is full of fresh water//coolant mix, and it has a brand new thermostat, and the water pump is less than 2 years old. She is a 3.1v6 auto.

Thanks guys...
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Jun 29, 2007 | 12:06 PM
  #2  
220 isn't unusual for our cars.
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Jun 29, 2007 | 12:30 PM
  #3  
Re: boiling under hood?
But is the bubbling unusual for a temp of 220? I know mine has only bubbled when I was up around 250.
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Jun 29, 2007 | 12:51 PM
  #4  
Re: boiling under hood?
Yes it is normal..... for a car that needs a new radiator cap.

Replace that and see if it shuts up.
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Jun 29, 2007 | 03:26 PM
  #5  
Re: boiling under hood?
Whoops, wrong temps. I meant at 225-230 or so it bubbles occasionally.
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Jun 29, 2007 | 09:18 PM
  #6  
Re: boiling under hood?
Quote: Normal for our cars at 220? When they need a new radiator cap? Mine does it at 200 occasionally, and a lot at 210 after my emissions test about 45 minutes ago (failed HC & CO , wow the guy was really pushing the car).
Sofa is right. Do the math. 50/50 antifreeze solution under 13 PSI will not boil below 220°. If anything is coming out of the cooling system when stopped below that temperature, the cooling system (read: radiator cap or neck) is not holding pressure. This is probably the most often overlooked problem.
And don't bother with a "cooling system pressure tester" They mask radiator cap and neck problems and are just for locating leaks.
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Jun 29, 2007 | 09:27 PM
  #7  
Re: boiling under hood?
It's normal for the coolant to be 220 F regardless of the condition of the cap. It's not normal for the coolant to boil below 260-270F unless the cap is bad.
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