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Started By
Message
re: Car overheating while idle.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:12 am to dbeck
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:12 am to dbeck
quote:
Why would it overheat if the thermostat was stuck open and coolant was running through the radiator constantly?
Correct statement, stuck open may impact performance prior to reaching running temp (particularly in colder weather) but is usually minimal in the south.
quote:
1) Fan clutch is sticking
2) Fan is bad
3) Fan isn't getting power or signal to turn on
I suspect your list is wrong, in this case, because the 2011 Fiesta almost certainly has an electric fan. I would say the more likely scenario is
1) Fan not getting power or not getting adequate power due to bad fan relay
2) Bad fan
3) Fan not getting power due to blown fuse
It is also possible the radiator has some plugging or restrictions. You radiator cools more efficiently when traveling because it gets more airflow, significantly more at highway speeds. I would think a 5 year old car would not have this issue, though.
ETA: as pointed out by another poster, coolant level should be checked (if you have any in the reservoir when cooled down, this is probably not the problem but fill to proper levels anyway) and a radiator flush is not a bad idea anyway.
This post was edited on 4/15/16 at 6:16 am
2
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:18 am to mdomingue
my dad had the same problem with his truck and we thought it was the fan clutch, but turned out the radiator was plugged so we replaced that and no more overheating at idle.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:19 am to GeauxTigerNation
Go to an Auto-Zone or whatever you use and buy the manual for working on your vehicle.About $10-$15.
Tells how to fix everything on your vehicle.Doesn't take the hard work out of it.Just tells how to do it.
Tells how to fix everything on your vehicle.Doesn't take the hard work out of it.Just tells how to do it.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:23 am to Perrydawg
You could probably diagnose that with an infrared thermometer, as you could many coolant-related problems. That's a handy tool to have around.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:26 am to GeauxTigerNation
Have you listened to see if the fan is turning on at idle? I'm assuming you did and it isn't.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:34 am to CaptainsWafer
In the interim between now and when you repair it, when you stop at a light or stop sign:
1.) Apply Brake
2.) Slip car into neutral.
3.) Run the accelerator up to around 1.5-2rpm's.
If your car is only overheating at idle, this may prevent overheating while stopped at least temporarily. As was stated before, check your coolant levels first and foremost. When this issue came up for me several years back I had to replace my radiator due to a leak.
1.) Apply Brake
2.) Slip car into neutral.
3.) Run the accelerator up to around 1.5-2rpm's.
If your car is only overheating at idle, this may prevent overheating while stopped at least temporarily. As was stated before, check your coolant levels first and foremost. When this issue came up for me several years back I had to replace my radiator due to a leak.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:40 am to GFunk
quote:
In the interim between now and when you repair it, when you stop at a light or stop sign: 1.) Apply Brake 2.) Slip car into neutral. 3.) Run the accelerator up to around 1.5-2rpm's.
If the issue is the fan, this will likely make the problem worse, not better.
I could see it maybe helping for certain flow restriction issues.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:40 am to GeauxTigerNation
quote:Doesn't sound like a Latin party now, does it?
2011 Ford Fiesta
Chevrolet Celebritys certainly weren't driven by celebrities.
Driving one was more likely to guarantee "Celibacy" than celebrity.
I've been to Monaco and not seen even one Dodge there.
Car names-
Good luck.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 6:47 am to mdomingue
quote:
If the issue is the fan, this will likely make the problem worse, not better.
I could see it maybe helping for certain flow restriction issues.
That's why I'd start there. If the temperature keeps climbing, it's evident it's probably a fan issue. If it starts cooling down at higher RPM, is more than likely a coolant issue.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 7:15 am to GeauxTigerNation
Do the simple first-
1. Change Radiator cap
2. Turn car on with A/C on high , open hood and wait for engine to warm- if fan does not kick on-
Hot wire fan to see if it works- if it doesn't replace fan
If fan comes on- you can either chase down the faulty thermostat, relay, switch etc or hot wire the fan inline with ignition and the fan will run all the time- In La this is no big deal- older cars had fans running off the fan belt constantly.
3. If the above does not resolve the problem - then the culprit is either the radiator is plugged up or you have engine water jacket issues.
1. Change Radiator cap
2. Turn car on with A/C on high , open hood and wait for engine to warm- if fan does not kick on-
Hot wire fan to see if it works- if it doesn't replace fan
If fan comes on- you can either chase down the faulty thermostat, relay, switch etc or hot wire the fan inline with ignition and the fan will run all the time- In La this is no big deal- older cars had fans running off the fan belt constantly.
3. If the above does not resolve the problem - then the culprit is either the radiator is plugged up or you have engine water jacket issues.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 7:23 am to GeauxTigerNation
Hmmm....I've never experienced this with my Jaguar XJL Portfolio, or my Corvette, or my Porsche 911 Carrera....I think I've diagnosed the problem: You're poor.
This post was edited on 4/15/16 at 7:24 am
Posted on 4/15/16 at 7:57 am to GFunk
That's incorrect.
The way you temporarily relieve a fan clutch/fan relay problem is to turn the heater on full blast.
The way you temporarily relieve a fan clutch/fan relay problem is to turn the heater on full blast.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:14 am to 911Moto
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:15 am to GeauxTigerNation
Did you check the specs on the rotary girder?
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:19 am to GeauxTigerNation
quote:
2011 Ford Fiesta.
Problem solved
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:32 am to Pepe Lepew
wouldn't the CEL come on if the fan was truly malfunctioning?
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:41 am to GeauxTigerNation
An easy way to check the fan clutch: with the car not running, turn the fan yourself. If you feel some resistance, it's good. If it turns free and easy, it's bad.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:41 am to Pepe Lepew
Check the heater control valve. Fairly common failure on a Fiesta. Google for more info.
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:45 am to AUbagman
Provided your radiator operates correctly and doesn't leak Etc I bet it's the thermostat. Could be a water pump or heater hose thermostat would be the cheapest thing those rickety things all go out at some time or another
Posted on 4/15/16 at 8:46 am to tidalmouse
If you are a member of your public library most of them give you Internet access to the same repair manuals for free.
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