I own a 95 GT with 123,000 miles



For the last several months, I have been having a problem with the engine temperature. After driving through back roads on my way to the interstate, the temperature is a cool O on the (N O R M A L) temperature gauge. But after a few minutes on the interstate, the temp gauge rockets to the M-A range. After peaking, the gauge (very quickly: 5 seconds) returns to O-R range and finally settles on R-M. I do not over accelerate and I shift around 2000 rpm.



Prior to this, the temp gauge would never reach the M range under these conditions. Now it is an every day occurance. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a solution?

 

You have an electric fan? Could be a problem with the thermostat for it (like it will only kick in when it's dangerously warm).

 

Im not sure if it is the fan. The car does not experience this problem at idle (when the fan might be needed) or driving at 30-50 miles per hour. Only when I hit the open road at 70-80 mph. Im not sure if the fan is needed at 70 mph.



At idle, the engine stays at a mild temp.

 

Pop your hood. Do you see a fan attached to the front of the engine, or the back of the radiator?

 

good point, it is behind.

 

If it's attached to the engine, I'm honestly kinda confuzled. If what you're saying is that it's NOT attached to the engine, only to the radiator, then it's electric. We did this on our old Jeep, freed up a good 5 ponies.



However, if a wire has worked itself loose, or the relay or sensor that tells the fan to turn on is fried or malfunctioning, then you won't have a fan to suck up air. Much like heat soaking the radiator if you don't have a large area to blow fresh air over.



My bet's on the temp. sensor for your fan. Since it's engaging period, you can kinda eleminate connections and wires, but it's only engaging when it's really high on the temp gauge.



Does it does this with city driving as well?

 

this problem could be a number of things. first off, make sure that the fluid level in the radiator and in the overflow is filled right. it could also be your thermostat sticking closed too long. the fact that it gets very hot and then cools down really quick would suggest a faulty thermostat. since your car is a 95 with a 5.0, you should not have an electric fan(unless it has been replaced with one). it could then be your fan clutch that is nt properly engaging.

 

The radiator has recently been flushed and refilled. The only time the temp gauge spikes is if I am driving from a cold start. And it will spike when city driving from a cold start, but I rarely do "just" city driving. I thought the fan in my car was electric? On a V8, shouldn't the fan be on all the time?



Those are some really good ideas! I will definitely have someone take a look at it!



Thanks for responding to my post!

 

i agree w/ jarrett on the thermostat, also, i wouldn't hesitate to slap a 3-row radiator on it!!!