overheats at Idle but cools off when it is in motion?

160,000 MILES • 3.4L • 6 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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KENNETH DOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Greeting,

The vehicle overheats at Idle but cools off when it is in motion. The local repair shop just replace the engine Intake manifold, flushed coolant, replaced thermostat and replaced a vapor canister purge solenoid. Right after the repair, same problem still exists. The electric fans seem to run when the engine is at idle.

Could you please offer anything that might be helpful to resolve the situation?
Mar 15, 2019 at 2:45 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
If the engine is overheating only when sitting still, then we need to suspect there is a restriction in the system or the water pump is not circulating the coolant quickly enough.

We need to start with pressure testing the system just to be sure this is able to hold pressure which I am sure it can.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

However, if it holds pressure then we need to move onto coolant flow issues.

This is checked by using a laser temperature gauge to check the temperature around the engine. It should be pretty even all around the engine and then cooler on the radiator. We are looking for any higher temperature drops and then right next to it, you see a drop. That would indicate a restriction.

I suspect it will be in the radiator, so we need to rev the engine when sitting still and see if the upper or lower radiator hoses are collapsing. This indicates the same restriction as the water pump is actually sucking the line closed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

Let's run through this info and go from there.
Dec 18, 2021 at 8:59 AM
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