AU XR6 Overheating

[Mikeyh]

My '99 VCT XR6 5spd in the last 2 days appears to "overheat" when the engine is turned off for a short while. Runs sweet, no overheating when running, only on the odd occasion when i turn it off and turn it on after a short while (~ 10 minutes say).

Turn on the engine and the warning "beep" goes and the temp gauge is well in the red, however quickly drops back to normal operating temperatures after 3 or 4 seconds.

Are we talking water pump problems, thermostat playing up, or maybe the sensor has finally had its day?

[Ringo]

Hi MikeyH - Don't stress out. I don't think that there is anything wrong.

Just before you shut down the engine it is at normal operating temperature with coolant flowing from the block to the radiator and back happily.

On shutdown the temperature is still in the block and the coolant but it is not flowing to the radiator to be cooled. As such the temperature of the engine increases (because there cooling system is not flowing) for a while before it starts to really cool down.

When you restart the car the cooling system starts to flow and transfers heat from the block to the raditor again bringing down the temperature to normal.

If it has never done it before and you can't think of another factors which might be coming into play such as a hot day then you may want to check the health of the cooling system for piece of mind

I have this exact same problem (umong many others) on my wife piece of shyte VL Commie Door. (it's done 365,000 klms - 'Will you hurry up and die you mother *%#!**%#!**%#!**%#!**%#!*er').

That's my 2 cents worth? Anyone else want to throw in theirs?

[XR82GO]

i have the same problem...but not all the time...seems when i use the aircon it does it...but drops back as you say really quick....have checked everything but all seems fine....just one of those things i think

[Mikeyh]

Thanks guys, it only started happening in the last couple of days with the hot weather, and the use of the air con. I'll get the cooling system checked next week though....

Gave me a fright though, almost drove it straight down and traded it on a TE50 for sale at the Ford dealer in town... almost!

[The Monty]

I would have anyway...hehehe

[SVR73]

Radiator may be blocked a fair amount and need a damn good power flush
Also I suggest using coolants during the summer that do not contain ethylene glycol
Only in victorian and ACT winters do you possibly need glycol
Glycol as we know lifts the temp of the engine