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engine gets hot while parked or driving slow

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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 12:37 PM
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Default engine gets hot while parked or driving slow

i noticed it a few weeks ago. when the car is sitting in Park for about 5 minutes, the temp guage shows it getting hotter and the radiator fan starts getting really loud. once i start driving, the temp goes down and the fan starts to quiet. however, if i'm driving less than like 25-30 mph, the fan will still continue to be loud and the temp guage will still show the engine getting hotter.

during regular highway driving at like 60 or 70 mph, i never hear the radiator fan and the temp guage stays in the middle.

a friend of mine did say that the hose that goes into the radiator on the top(sorry im ignorant) is way too soft. i haven't got around to have him replace it yet. could this soft hose be the problem?
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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I had a similar situation happen to my Benz. She would get hot while I was sitting at a red light or in traffic. It turned out to be my thermostat and fan relay. I also flushed her radiator and she was fine after that. Check to make sure you have enough coolant and check your thermostat. But hey, I'm no mechanic :-)
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 10:40 PM
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Shes right check the coolant level asap. If the coolant is good and the fans come on, it's most assuredly the thermostat. Don't keep driving it either.
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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most likely thermostat stuck, or possible bad radiator cap.
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Old Apr 4, 2008 | 06:45 AM
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Changing the radiator fluid once every 2 years is a standard maintenance item. The thermostat is pretty cheap so it makes sense to have that done while the fluid is flushed. It's a simple DIY job.

Open radiator cap. Drain the fluid from the bottom of the radiator. Disconnect the big hose from the radiator to the engine see picture below to get access to the thermostat. Remove thermostat 2 nuts I think (you need a gasket to put it back on) put new thermostat with new gasket on. Clean the radiator fluid resevoir (if necessary). Tighten the plug/nut on the bottom of the radiator. Fill the radiator with fluid until the radiator resevoir is 1/2 full or where the max line is. Start your engine and check for leaks. Check your radiator fluid level fill up more if necessary. Be sure you check the instructions for the proper antifreeze mix ratio (dependent on which brand you buy).
Attached Thumbnails engine gets hot while parked or driving slow-es300thermostat.jpg  
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Old Apr 4, 2008 | 07:37 AM
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K to the rescue! I need some of you boys closer to me. I don't have a mechanic that I trust or anyone to fix my car matter of fact. I am still looking for someone that I trust to work on my Carmen. Thank God that the only thing I have had to do so far was change the oil. I buy my own oil and filter and pay a local guy to do it while I watch.

Good luck cnstarz! Keep us posted.
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Old Apr 4, 2008 | 03:07 PM
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thanks guys (and girl), i'll take a lookie.
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 12:32 PM
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Nice writeup
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 02:25 PM
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Probably the fan, or fan relay/fuse, or as others have stated thermostat.
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by kphu
Changing the radiator fluid once every 2 years is a standard maintenance item. The thermostat is pretty cheap so it makes sense to have that done while the fluid is flushed. It's a simple DIY job.

Open radiator cap. Drain the fluid from the bottom of the radiator. Disconnect the big hose from the radiator to the engine see picture below to get access to the thermostat. Remove thermostat 2 nuts I think (you need a gasket to put it back on) put new thermostat with new gasket on. Clean the radiator fluid resevoir (if necessary). Tighten the plug/nut on the bottom of the radiator. Fill the radiator with fluid until the radiator resevoir is 1/2 full or where the max line is. Start your engine and check for leaks. Check your radiator fluid level fill up more if necessary. Be sure you check the instructions for the proper antifreeze mix ratio (dependent on which brand you buy).
Great writeup, the only thing you forgot to mention is purging the air out of the system. The engine will overheat if there are air bubbles trapped inside the lines. The best solution is to buy one of these $25 funnels that attach to your radiator cap.


http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24610-Sp.../dp/B001A4EAV0
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by MrBooby
Great writeup, the only thing you forgot to mention is purging the air out of the system. The engine will overheat if there are air bubbles trapped inside the lines. The best solution is to buy one of these $25 funnels that attach to your radiator cap.


http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24610-Sp.../dp/B001A4EAV0
You can also run the vehicle with the rad cap off for a few minutes for the air to escape. Nice find!!
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