Hotter then normal

[morse]

I was just browsing the forums when I came across a post by "Firefox234" that said
"As for an unbleed system doing damage idk. I know if the car starts running over 200f stop asap and I wouldn't suggest driving it until its fixed.

My car has been running at 220 f but never gets hotter. Is it normal, or does it mean somethings wrong with my car?

[rixGAphx]

'02 V6, 6-yrs old; about 75k miles?

He was full of crap, 200*F is nothing to worry about.

But there IS something wrong with your car.
220*F is just not right, in TX in April with highs of 90*F, while driving around.
Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, yeah; but not while moving.

The fans are set to come on right at 220*F, and that is what is happening: Your engine is for some reason running hotter than the 195*F t-stat setting, and when it gets to the 'quite hot' region the PCM automatically turns on the fans to draw air through the radiator.

See the RED mark on your gage, way up by 240*F THAT is your danger zone; if it starts creeping above 220, and headed that way, something is definitely wrong.

I suspect you a low on coolant.
Check this, and top-off as necessary.
If very low, then the 'Low Coolant' icon should come 'on'.

Do some searches in this forum to do some more reading about the dangers of overheating a GA V6, and the leak points to look for.
Also check for airflow through the rad (butterflies get behind the AC condenser, and really clog the rad).

At 75k miles, now would be a good time to give your car the 100k service, including flushing the cooling system (which was only supposed to last 5 years).

Hope this helps,
-Rick

[daman]

My car has been running at 220 f but never gets hotter. Is it normal
is this going down the road 55-60 MPH or city stop and go driving??

[morse]

My grand am only has 43,500 miles on it. I had the LIM replaced, do they do a coolant flush during that repair? While driving the temp is usually about a hairs over the 200 f mark. When Im stoped such as in a drive thru or stop and go traffic it reaches 220 very quickly, I can see it moving. Bad?

Even though my cars only at the above mileage, should I still just go ahead and get the routine maitenance you would usually get at 100,000?