Engine temperature rises at idle, then lowers when I drive

Tiny
GEOFFPEARL
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 HONDA PILOT
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 275,000 MILES
Sitting at a long stop in the hot summer, my car is starting to overheat and A/C cuts out. Once I start driving again, it goes back to normal.
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019 AT 11:29 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the radiator cooling fan is not working. Can you turn the car on with the AC to see if you hear it running, if not lets check it for power and ground and replace the motor which burn out commonly. Here are guides to help you see how to test for power and how to change the fan motor with the fan wiring diagrams so you can see how it works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-electric-fan-motor

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
GEOFFPEARL
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
I’ve got the hood open and both fans are spinning freely.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Can we open the radiator (cold) and see if the coolant is rusty? This will cause the water pump impeller to rust out causing efficiency issues.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
GEOFFPEARL
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
I did replace the radiator in the last 24 months. With all new coolant.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
If you have a new radiator and coolant and the fan are working it must be a flow issue which is pointing toward the water pump. This can be difficult to check without removing the pump. I have heard of people removing the upper hose and starting the car to see if coolant flows out at a good rate but this requires the thermostat to be open which means the engine must be at operating temperature or you must remove the thermostat.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:46 AM

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