If its getting really hot then that would explain the fan running all the time. Also if the AC button is pushed on then it wil run then too. Does the car smoke at all? Is it possible you have a cracked head or blown head gasket?

 

Hey Stealthee, thanks for the reply. Actually, the fan is shorted/bypassed to be on all the time (for what reason...i have no idea...it was like that when I got it). I rarely run the A/C and the button is not pressed in. However, when the A/C is on the driver's side fan runs, so that part of the system seems to work fine. I'm guessing I don't have a cracked head or blown gasket, since it doesn't smoke and I never loose any fluid. It only gets hot at stops after about 20-30 seconds. Any other guesses?

 

Ok if its ALWAYS running then its possible the bearings are wore out and thats why it sounds so bad. I sounds like the previous owner had overheating problems and shorted it to run all the time.

 

Yeah? Super, then. Wait, does a fan with bad bearings have a problem spinning? The fan does spin readily, no real tension in it. Would buying a new fan be a reasonable solution in your opinion?

 

Your problem sounds like a water pump issue...

So let's review --

When you are driving down the road and you have natural air flow through the radiator you have normal cooling/temp, but when you stop and idle the temp rises to hot.

I had that problem once, but for me it was radiator fan not on at all, which is obviously not your issue.

It sounds like you may be losing pressure in the cooling system, or the water pump is starting to go out. If the pump is not moving water through enough while at idle for the fan to subsequrntly take the heat away then the temp would rise. Also, this would explain why (even with a lower flow rate) that the extra air while driving would drop the temp.

You might try replacing the radiaor cap with a new one - but since you say you aren't losing fluid that is probably not it.

I would still check the pressure in the system and the water pump. Water pump is the strongest possibility in my mind.

 

Re: Your problem sounds like a water pump issue...

Changing the fan will solve the loudness issue. Youir cooling problem may be something as simple as a radiator cap needing replaced.

 

Hey, rscultho. You get an F-. I most certainly did not want to hear about a water pump problem. That thing is supposed to be a pain with it being connected to the timing belt!

I'll check the cap and hopefully that will be the problem, though a bad cap normally means coolant loss, yes? Thanks for the replies rscultho and Stealthee. Mucho Appreciado.