Overheating while idling

[yimmy149]

Whether or not you should warm up your car, it sounds like the original poster was just letting it idle and then putting it back in his garage.

Don't do that; you just load the oil up with nasty combustion by-products, and then leave them there to etch away the insides of your engine.

Buy a battery maintainer, only start the car if you are going to drive it for more than 30 minutes.

-james

[70Sixter]

First WELCOME to ayacucho!

I would agree that long idle time is not advisable, but don't think the engine should overheat unless there is a problem.

Not sure how well modern cars handle rich idle control, but my -6 would get the cylinders washed down with excess gas if I did that long start up idle.

Check coolant level. Check for cracked plastic container as that is frequent problem. Wet carpet?

The check the radiators for blockage from leaves or street junk. Clean if needed. Remove front bumper cover to get at them easily.

Then check to see if the fans are operating. You can hear them running.

If that doesn't clear the problem and it over heats again, I'd take it to a good mechanic.

I have a rule that I run my car until it reaches operating temperature and then drive home for even an otherwise quick trip into town.