This issue began 2 day's ago. 1997 v6 3.8

My temperature guage started marking at the 3/4 point and even further, as to almost hitting the red line area. I checked the coolant and topped it off because it was pretty low and it still measured the temperature at that mark.

The engine is acting the same as usual. (no stalls, sporatic idle, jumps etc)
When I pop the hood there is no excess heat, it's the same as always.

Any ideas as to why the guage is reading the temperature so high?

 

Gauge could be broken or coolant may not be able to get to the radiator but if its not running any hotter ( you would feel the difference) then its probably just the guage/sensor

 

Did you just start using the Air Conditioning? Maybe you got tons of dust in the rad and condenser

 

Well for the past week or so I have actually used the a/c about twice and I never use it. **** maybe that's why?

 

check the coolant sensor....do you know if your fan is working correctly?

[IMG]local://upfiles/34182/E2912EA01A694D83BE3E836EA9AD2569.jpg[/IMG]

 

Mine was doining it whenever I used the A/C so I called my mechanic and he said just to take it to a coin wash or use a pressure washer and open the hood and give it hell....Make sure you hit the Rad and the Condencer really well...
It worked for me so you might as well try it as it will only cost you like a dollar tops...cheapest fix ever for my car it was

 

I haven't checked the fan I'll do that now. lol what did pressure washing the radiator do though? That seems like a temporary fix unless it really wasn't being over heated

 

I've never heard of pressure washing to fix that problem. with all the electrical stuff going on in there I wouldn't do it. Check the fan make sure when your motor is running it should come on when it hits a certain temp. I would also check the coolant sensor. If that doesn't work try flushing the radiator and add new anti-freeze 50/50 and change your thermostat then add a quart of purple ice from royal purple. Visit www.royalpurple.com and look at the product. A lot of my friends who have race cars use it when they go to the track.

[IMG]local://upfiles/34182/4C120649BFF04C86BF4B137D5667DEE0.jpg[/IMG]

 

Pressue washing cleaned out some of the dust and debree that had made its way in there over time...all the space between the coils were pluged on the rad and condenser making it so that air couldn't pass through it, would almost act like isulation

Also on newer vehicles there is no worries with washing the motor unless you got mad leaks or sumtin...I wash that **** atleast once a month...

 

Have you changed your thermostat lately? It may be signs that its time before it does overheat