Overheating w/the AC on full blast in stop and go traffic

Every summer it happens, and every summer I take little steps to address it. I'm installing a WRX STi heat extractor in the hood, so I have a 18"X8" rectangle cut into the metal. I'm waiting for the adhesive fastening the fiberglass extractor onto composite hood piece to finish drying. I also removed the heat shielding on the inside of the hood. I have 2 electrics fans in place, one in front of the radiator, one behind the radiator (to eliminate the fan clutch as the cause). Thermostat has been replaced, as well.

Yesterday I was sitting in a bit of traffic, and the temp was in the 90s, so I turned the a/c on full blast to see if the vented hood would help alleviate the overheating. After about 5 mins, the familiar creep began again. Turned the a/c off, temp, once again, went back to normal.

Only happens when the a/c is on. I can sit in traffic w/out it, and it behaves just fine. I recalled this thread: http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=20464 I'll be contacting them about a kit early next week. I'm pretty much done w/the heat issues.

could be the ac comp.is siezing up and causing the serp.belt to not spin the water pump pulley which would lead to over heating,

ac comp.bearings are prolly shot

That was replaced last year.

I had mine for years in Houston TX and Bullhead City AZ. BHC is regularly one of the hottest areas in the country often outpacing Death Valley. I saw 12 days of 130+ one summer and never over heated. Before cutting the hood I would have checked all regular components. I would have started with the radiator making sure it was flushed. Also pressure cleaned to make sure air flow wasnt blocked by all the dead bugs in Texas. I would have mad sure the 2 electric fans are facing the same direction and not facing each other and canceling each other out. I would have checked the thermostat making sure it wasn't sticking. I would have had the temperature when it was over heating with a thermal temp gun too make sure it was over heating and not a faulty gauge. Also changed the fluid too make sure it is at correct strength. I might have gone so far as to add an oil and/or transmission cooler to reduce other areas of heat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by circmand

I had mine for years in Houston TX and Bullhead City AZ. BHC is regularly one of the hottest areas in the country often outpacing Death Valley. I saw 12 days of 130+ one summer and never over heated. Before cutting the hood I would have checked all regular components. I would have started with the radiator making sure it was flushed. Also pressure cleaned to make sure air flow wasnt blocked by all the dead bugs in Texas. I would have mad sure the 2 electric fans are facing the same direction and not facing each other and canceling each other out. I would have checked the thermostat making sure it wasn't sticking. I would have had the temperature when it was over heating with a thermal temp gun too make sure it was over heating and not a faulty gauge. Also changed the fluid too make sure it is at correct strength. I might have gone so far as to add an oil and/or transmission cooler to reduce other areas of heat.

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I've previously posted about this.
1) I've already replaced the radiator. Problem not solved.
2) Tried the electric fans in a push pull/push push configuratoin. Problem not solved.
3) Replaced the thermostat. Problem not solved.
4) Changed the radiator fluid when the radiator was changed. Problem not solved.

Cutting the hood is not a big deal to me. I always thought it would look pretty awesome with a heat extractor anyway, and in the mock ups, and seeing someone else's here confirmed that. So no harm, no foul. I just want the problem to stop.

Edit: Ah, here's the thread: http://vehicross.info/forums/showpos...2&postcount=17


In thinking about what Willy posted, I installed a used A/C compressor. Since the 17" FFD setup mentioned above is $289 shipped (emailed them to confirm price) and a *reman'ed* compressor is $120.xx, I'm going to try the reman'ed compressor.

try this

http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10

I've been using Redline since Corky Bell introduced me to it back in the 90s *lol*. No effect, either.

There are several stories about VXs overheating. My first thought was that since it had to do w/the A/C, it had to be the add'l drag of a/c compressor, so it had to be something up with the compressor. Replaced it, didn't solve the issue, so then I thought about the excess heat under the hood, which the heat extractor would resolve....or so I thought *lol*.

Since the issue pretty much happens to the great majority of the sufferers when the a/c is on, it has to be the physical a/c components. Which is why I'm going to try a reman'ed compressor this time, to officially eliminate the a/c compressor as a cause.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...=ac+compressor

there is an ebay link in this thread (thanks again vxorado) that has remanufactured compressors for just over $200 which was the cheapest i found and mine works flawlessly so far (i dont think im the only one who bought one from this source once we all figured out which one we needed and a place that had the CORRECT one) - there is also some info on which model you should need with which year - hope this helps

Autozone has them brand new, not reman'ed, for $199. Got a quote this morning when I went to pick up some Lucas Oil and Techron. Part # 58956, made by Everco.

if you read the thread there is a 99% change autozone has the wrong part - you can try but every place i found had the wrong part numbers in their books (including autozone) and didnt carry the ones we need - but you can try i hope im wrong

Thanks for poking me on that one. I was reading it right after I posted my response to you *lol*. Yeah.....this looks like fun ;)

just trying to save you some trips to the parts store - even the guy who i bought if from on ebay told me that his parts book said it wouldnt fit (even thought it was listed on the website as a fit) but i told him as long as it was the one in the picture it was the one i needed - and it was - and im pretty sure your 99 would have the exact same but to be sure you can either look on the compressor or even easier there is a sticker under your hood up by the drivers side glass that tells which model you need

Thanks for the helpful information :)

Really curious to see if this fixes your problem, both my vx's have done this in stop and go with ac on in the Texas heat!

I had a Ron Davis racing radiator built and installed a few months ago. Got to give it a real test this week in Moab, temps in the high 80s, low 90s. I could run the A/C sometimes, as long as we were moving, but it would start to rise if we weren't moving for more than 5 mins. I'd shut off A/C and it really didn't make much difference, just went down a little. But it never officially hit the "H", and returned to normal when moving a little faster, even with A/C.

Others were having same issue with increasing temps. I don't have a scan gauge, but others that did said it was reading temp up to 220, Dumke said his was hitting 250, all w/o A/C.

Here's the thread on the aluminum radiator build:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ight=ron+davis

Detailed specs on my Ron Davis radiator-

• Has more cooling capacity than OEM
• No plastic parts, all aluminum
• RD Part number 1-24RO9397
• Can call Bill Williamson at RD and order it with that number. He's SUPER helpful and explains everything in great detail.
• About $600.
• Bill Williamson
  Ron Davis Racing Products, Inc.
  7334 North 108th Avenue
  Glendale, AZ. 85307
  Tel- 623-877-5000 Ext.16
  Fax- 623-877-5001
• http://www.vehicross.info/showpost.p...72&postcount=5

MORE specs on my RD radiator:

• http://www.vehicross.info/showpost.p...2&postcount=25

I have the same issue. I'm fine till the outside temp gets to around 90 degrees...I've flushed my rad. Thermostat was replaced a few years ago...not sure what temp thermostat was used...

I was having overheating issues as well, all the time. What seems to have worked for me so far is a new OEM radiator, FFD Radiator Fan, new AC compressor. Finally installed the fan when I was in Nashville and it's been great since. I haven't been in the 90 degree heat yet, but mine used to get hot just sitting at a light.... most any weather... with the AC on.

Good Luck.

Talked to "Bill" again, at Ron Davis radiators to tell him about my Moab temp experience with the new radiator.

A few VERY IMPORTANT POINTS he made:

• DO NOT USE ANY OF THE COOLANT ADDITIVES!!!!! (LIKE PURPLE ICE, etc) IT WILL EAT AWAY THE METAL OF THE RADIATOR EVENTUALLY CAUSING IT TO LEAK. He's seen numerous customers have this occur and come back to RD claiming they built a faulty radiator.
  
  Bill explained it this way: The additives list a very detailed set of instructions on how to use it properly, but most users don't read the very long detailed info. Coolant that's been in for some time can form a buildup and coat the metal. This coating slows the erosion by the additive, but will still develop leaks. So the instructions on additives actually advise to wait until coolant has been in for a period of time, before using it. After the additive consumes the various minerals/metals in the coolant water, it then erodes the metal of the radiator itself.

• He heard that the RedLine additive doesn't do this, but ALSO DOES NOT reduce the temp.

• If you put a 2nd fan on the front side of the radiator, it actually blocks airflow and probably only about 30 percent of the airflow makes it through the radiator, so it's very unlikely to solve the problem.

Overheating was discussed in pretty good detail in a prior thread:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...heating&page=3

Seems like more and more folks are having overheating issues, wonder if it's due to age and/or miles accumulating?? ....or maybe global warming?? :p :laugho:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Talked to "Bill" again, at Ron Davis radiators to tell him about my Moab temp experience with the new radiator.

A few VERY IMPORTANT POINTS he made:

• DO NOT USE ANY OF THE COOLANT ADDITIVES!!!!! (LIKE PURPLE ICE, etc) IT WILL EAT AWAY THE METAL OF THE RADIATOR EVENTUALLY CAUSING IT TO LEAK. He's seen numerous customers have this occur and come back to RD claiming they built a faulty radiator.
  
  Bill explained it this way: The additives list a very detailed set of instructions on how to use it properly, but most users don't read the very long detailed info. Coolant that's been in for some time can form a buildup and coat the metal. This coating slows the erosion by the additive, but will still develop leaks. So the instructions on additives actually advise to wait until coolant has been in for a period of time, before using it. After the additive consumes the various minerals/metals in the coolant water, it then erodes the metal of the radiator itself.

• He heard that the RedLine additive doesn't do this, but ALSO DOES NOT reduce the temp.

• If you put a 2nd fan on the front side of the radiator, it actually blocks airflow and probably only about 30 percent of the airflow makes it through the radiator, so it's very unlikely to solve the problem.

Overheating was discussed in pretty good detail in a prior thread:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...heating&page=3

Seems like more and more folks are having overheating issues, wonder if it's due to age and/or miles accumulating?? ....or maybe global warming?? :p :laugho:

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I want to know too, cuz on my other VX, took til about 110k miles to do this and it had newer ac compressor, my current VX has done it every summer since about 80k miles........hmmmmm

My overheating issue was solved by replacing the fan clutch...now I can hear the cooling fan when I hit the gas...

Although the diag was free, my garage wanted $370 for parts and labor ($70part)...I replaced it when I bought the VX back in 2002...it takes about an hr to replace. Did it myself...again. This time I greased the spring, as the old fan clutch spring was a little rusty...

I figured I would ask in this thread because I am having the same problem here in Tucson when it gets above 100 and I have stop and go.

How easy should the fan clutch move by hand? I have a friend that says it should be pretty hard. Mine moves fairly easily. I don't want to spend $100 for nothing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrnCnn

I figured I would ask in this thread because I am having the same problem here in Tucson when it gets above 100 and I have stop and go.

How easy should the fan clutch move by hand? I have a friend that says it should be pretty hard. Mine moves fairly easily. I don't want to spend $100 for nothing.

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FYI -Talking to Merlin last week about fan clutch...there's been a redesign and you now HAVE to buy it (~$250....OUCH :eek:) AND a new fan blade (~$100....OUCH again):eek:...

this my have nothing to do with this but I just got a new job and moved my family to Pittsburgh from Lancaster county PA where i had been run nothing but pure non ethenal 89 gas now where i'm living i cant get that and i now have started having issues in traffic with the ac on and my check engine light has been on since the pure gas dried up maybe related or not i just thought i'd give my two bits

My VX started running hot this summer too. It only happens if it's about 100 and I'm in stop and go traffic. When it happens, I turn on the heat, roll the windows down and it goes back to just below the half way mark very quickly. If I get on the highway afterwards, I cannot get it to raise up. It only happens in stop and go traffic when it's about 100 degrees.

I took into the shop a couple of weeks ago to fix the issue (also to fix my windows) it sticks. They replaced the hoses and a gasket. They said it was fixed. I noticed when I pick up my VX the fozzel on the door handle was a little different looking. I reached down to check it out and they had broke it. They didn't even get to my window either. Anyhow, they bought me another fozzel from St. Charles, but it's going to take 6- 8 weeks to get here. In the meantime, someone threw the old fozzel away and I have to drive around with a naked looking door handle.

Oh yeah, my over heating issue wasn't fixed. I took it back in and they replaced the thermostat. Long story short....it's still not fixed. They said the fan was working fine so they don't have an answer yet.

I'm going to drop it back off when my fozzel comes in.

Peace.
Tom

I put new hoses and water pump on when I did my timing belt over Memorial day weekend.

I noticed the first summer I moved back to AZ that it will get real hot and the AC will not blow nearly as cold in stop and go traffic or when I am driving uphill a lot. Even the Moab trip in '08 we had to roll down the windows for the hills.

glad to see i'm not the only one with this problem that can't seem to figure out the cause. I live in northwest arkansas and it has been in the upper 90's since i got my vx home a few weeks ago. on the interstate it's fine but in stop and go traffic it creeps up not quite to the h mark but close. did a scan a few weeks back and it was at about 226. replaced the clutch fan with a dual speed electric fan and replaced the theromstat. still does it. but if i kick the heater on it drops back down in just a few minutes. or if i start traveling about 40mph or more. guess i just need to fix my windows to roll up and down correctly and learn to deal with the heater on during summer traffic.

OK this is from a complete outsider on this issue since I have yet to even purchase a VX, but classic GTOs have had this issue for years.

What we have found over time is a multi pronged attack. Of course proper cooling system (i.e hoses, radiator, fan, thermostat, coolant) looks like you've all tried this. We also discovered that the fan shroud itself made a HUGE difference on how the fan pulled. But in some cases that STILL was not enough, after further investigation it was discovered that fuel and timing were also a big part of the equation. With the inability to get leaded high octane gas it was causing detonation in the combustion chambers raising the temps, as would an engine slightly out of time or having a bad advance setting on the distributor. Has anyone looked to see if over time the timing belt stretches just enough to let it get a tad out of time, or if the ignition system needs tweaked? Just an outsiders observation.
:)

Bezare thread; had my VX for 7 years, AC has never failed or caused the engine, heat or anything to act up, in stopped, idle or highspeed traffic; something is going on with your unit, should not need to cut holes in your hood, has to be a circulation problem but sounds like you've been thru all that; if a compressor is putting alot of stress on the belt I guess that could overload and cause an abnormal heatup; bezare; my AC is ice cold, to cold, aside from the extra fan noise when I run the system I don't notice any strain on the engine

when i kick on my ac it does cause a little extra drag on my engine that is slightly noticeable - the rpm's go from 600 to about 750 at idle and it makes my exhaust sound just a little meaner - no difference in temp gauge though - new aftermarket ac compressor installed about a year ago when the bearings went out on the original - you could def hear when the bearings go out it gets very loud - its almost fall you could always get a shorter belt and bypass the compressor until you figure it out - might help from overheating in the meantime - also might tell you if its actually the compressor or not

there is another over heat thread that I updated. I was having the same issues. replaced clutch fan and all is good. just used one off ebay for $37 free shipping.

As a last resort in giving more cooling capacity, eliminate the transmission cooling circuit in the radiator and use an external oil radiator (or 2) of enough size to do the job. Finding a good spot is the problem so not to block the water radiator. The trans oil wants to be warm to work properly, so in cold climates this will make the oil slower to warm.
Cheers, Roy