I've check the forums for this and haven't seen a previous post. So here goes....
2004 Pontiac Sunfire
37,000 miles
Stock everything
I first noticed the engine running hot in December, sitting in downtown Pittsburgh, around 10 degrees outside. The needle always seemed to reside around 195. Whilst sitting in traffic, I noticed it 2-3 notches above 195.
Now it seems like whenever there is no air running over the radiator, the temp goes up within minutes.
I took it in for a warranty check, and of course service said it's fine... they told me anything under 210 degrees is perfectly normal.
This past weekend, took a ride out to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400. And while sitting in traffic, in 80+ heat, the temp would go up one tick per minute, until I would turn the heater on and it would go back down...
What really irritates me is there were hundreds of small compact cars sitting around me in traffic with their windows up and the A/C cranked, and I'm standing outside my car because the heat is unbearable....
So my question is, how hot is too hot for these engines? Is 210 a "normal" temp? And what value do each ticker mark represent on the temp gauge?
Any thoughts or ideas?
My father suggested taking it back to the stealership and tell them to look at it again under warrantee, even though I am just past the milage. Any thoughts on that approach?
it shouldnt go up that much....might want to check the thermostat or the fan on the radiator
My engine temp during city driving, highway, and racing (1/8th mile) ALWAYS hovers around 195.
I've never been below 190 (once it reached normal temp), and never above 200.
I'd think 210 could be considered normal.. but I'll wait for the pros to post up.
I know it's JUST a Cavalier, and I'm sorry if I hurt your ego.
well i dunno how much help i would be but i have an 05 cavalier and mine will always stay around 195. sometime it will creep a lil higher but not to often. something you might want to check is your thermostat and if you have it available most auto stores dont but some do buy a colder stat like 180 i wouldn't go below that they do make a 160 but since your car is stock i wouldn't go that route cuz you wouldn't need it. also make sure your radiator fan is kicking on. could be a bad sensor. as for taking it back up to the dealership good luck with that i dunno about where you live but here there pretty strict as to mileage and work being done unless its something that has been recalled. well best of luck hope some of that will help later
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also make sure your radiator fan is kicking on.
Once in traffic out in Indy, I got out and popped the hood to check, and it was running... also ran for a while once we parked... Fluid levels are fine too...
hmmmm i dunno best thing is to then take it somewhere to figure out what it is doing or what isnt letting the engine cool down. i still would check the stat and replace it with a colder stat like 180 and that will let the antifreeze come in sooner and cool the engine down. also check the hoses make sure there tight and not pinched off anywhere to where no fluids can pass. other than that not really a whole lot else but to take it to a professional
Stock J-body stats ARE 180 degree. J-body temperature gauges typically run at 195. If everything is working properly, your temp should stay at 195, even on a hot day with the A/C on. Make sure your fan is coming on when you see the temp starting to rise.
<img src="http://home.att.net/~lls4849/driving.gif">
my 05 cavalier does the exact same thing as you are experiencing. Normal opperating temps are 195, but if i sit around in traffic or anything and dont move for a little bit it rises, and rises until it gets between the halfway and 3/4 mark and then the fan kicks on.
When you turn the ac on and the little green lite is actually on for the ac the cooling fan is to be on. Best advise I can give you is to try sitting in traffic with the ac on. I've done it like that before and it helped the engine temp alot.
