I have the stock 260° gauge. Whenever I'm at idle the engine creeps a little bit passed the 220 mark. It doesn't overheat but gets a little too warm for comfort. I have new a OER 1 core alum radiator, water pump, T-stat delete (I live in Miami, don't need it), fresh coolant flush with a added cleaner 3 days prior to the flush. I have the factory dual fan set up with new motors on both fans (yes, they both turn on & are pulling tward the engine). I attached a picture of the AC condenser. Apparently the PO pressure cleaned it or something but you can clearly see all the fins are bent. When I'm on the highway with 90° weather it stays 1/4 of the way up on the gauge so at higher speeds it's more than okay. It especially gets hot at idle with AC on. At high speed with AC on, it stays cool. Is it possible the fins are causing my hot idle? Or is it something else? Also my pressure is good, no leaks.

 

Can't really tell what's in that attached image.

FWIW, my car runs about as hot as yours does when sitting still. It's been this way since new. My cooling system still has the stock 195* thermostat in it as well.

I think you're concerned over a non-issue. However, instead of removing the thermostat, I would find someone that can burn you another chip that will turn the fans on at a lower temp.

You can buy a radiator/condenser fin rake at an auto parts store that will straighten the fins to see if it helps.

 

The pic is of the AC condenser from a top view. I held down the rubber flap to snap this pic. The fins are all bent to hell. When I idle with the AC on it gets way passed the 220 mark. I'm sure if I just left it running like that it would hit the 260 red zone.

 

cooling requires air flowing through the vanes of the radiator and the ac condensor. get a hair drier and a helper. have the other person blow air through the front through the condensor and radiator. if you dont get a good breeze you are not getting good airflow. with it off the radiator is probably just BARELY keeping even. when you kick on the ac it starts trying to flow coolant through he condensor but since the vanes are trash there is likely very little flow and its just heating up and blocking the air.

i doubt trying to straten them will improve ac function since its likely very constricted but it will help radiator function by restoring airflow.

its damn near free to try as the vane combs are around 5-6$

lesson... dont powerwash an engine compartment with high pressure streams.

 

Have you messed with the stock tune to control the fan temps? If not, that could be your problem. They aren't meant to come on until the ~220/240 mark, plus your gauge inside might not be that accurate. My gauge reads 220 when actual engine temps are at 200.

 

BUMP

So the car is still running hot while in stop/go traffic but cools fine while at a steady pace. So obviously this leads me to believe the airflow is somehow restricted. The car gets hot really fast when the A/C is on, needle jumps quick. My fans are hot wired so they are on practically all the time, I removed my thermostat (don't need one in Miami) and recently changed both my fan motors (yes they are PULLING air). I'm here to ask if my condenser may be the culprit I took a few pictures of the condenser and you can see the vanes are pretty bent. I've tried using a vane comb as a previous poster mentioned but the condenser which I THINK is the original is too old and brittle for the vanes to be straightened. I want to swap it out for a new one but I really don't want to go through the hassle of finding R-12 cans and a A/C technician. Anyway, I digress, could this be the reason for my idle over-heating? Is there any way I can salvage my condenser that simply hasn't been mentioned yet? I really need your guys' help. Here in Miami it's very hot and humid year-round. We joke around here about A/C being a necessity, not a luxury haha.



By the way, as soon as I saw the bag of chips I removed it immediately.





Just to get a better idea of how bent the vanes are.

 

Anyone?

 

With the engine and cooling fans running, see if a facial tissue or paper towel will get sucked against the condenser. If not, you found your problem.