2004 Kia Optima Trying to overheat

2004 KIA OPTIMA
83,200 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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STACI PRICE
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My car keeps trying to overheat. It never has but it gets almost in the red everyday. When I turn off the AC it will go down a little...but it is hot in Louisiana and I need my AC. The AC does work fine, it just makes my car to run hot.
May 23, 2008 at 6:21 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

Time for a full cooling system service. Replace the thermostat, have the radiator cleaned & flow tested, check the pressure cap & flush the old coolant. Make sure that the fans are working (two) with the A/C on as well.

Mark (mhpautos)
May 24, 2008 at 5:25 AM
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DOUGSEGO
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It sounds as if we have virtually the same problem: almost overheating 80K 2004 Optima with ac on. I've tried almost everything: new water-pump, new thermostat, radiator flush, verified hoses not collapsing, verifiying both fans operational. I'm going to lean-out the anti-freeze from 50% to the 35% minimum recommended and see if that works. Please post to your site if you find anything. Thanks. Doug
Jun 25, 2008 at 5:32 PM
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DOUGSEGO
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I had an intermittant indication of overheating with my Optima. I tried everything to isolate the problem: new water-pump, new thermostat, radiator flush. However, when the needle approached red, and I turned off and turned on the engine again, it would show normal. This turned out to be an electrical problem, and was eventually isolated to (you're not going to believe this) A LOOSE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE!
Jul 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi dougesego,

Thanks for the in put. it all helps. This is a good example of looking at all the possibilities and keeping on top of basic maintaince issues, modern cars and the electrical systems are a pain at the best of times, but a simple problem as a loose or dirty terminal can sure through a spanner in the works.

Mark (mhpautos)
Jul 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM
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VINCENTRICO
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My 04 Kia optima gets hot when a.c. is on...virtually changed everything one can think of, anyone have any suggestions?
Aug 30, 2019 at 1:01 AM
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KASEKENNY
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Hi,

This post is over 11 years old. Can you start a new post with your specific vehicle and the detail on what you have done and what is happening to the vehicle? When does it overheat? Does it overheat if you let it idle or only on the highway? Just let us know the details on a new post and we will help get it figured out. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new
Aug 30, 2019 at 11:50 AM