Silhouette

[jfw10]

l bought a 87 s2 5sp silhouette for a song good condiction too goes like a bat out of hell but when l sit and idel the temp rises right up is this normal for them or is there a problem seeing that most of you have owned one or two in your life time you might know , and this is my first one any help or sugest would do driving is fine just when l sit and idle regards james

[SteveL]

l bought a 87 s2 5sp silhouette for a song good condiction too goes like a bat out of hell but when l sit and idel the temp rises right up is this normal for them or is there a problem seeing that most of you have owned one or two in your life time you might know , and this is my first one any help or sugest would do driving is fine just when l sit and idle regards james

I've had an 87 Silh for years. Temp gauge has always sat about 1/2 way on the gauge, going a little higher in high temps using the aircon. Temp rising in the way you describe is not normal. Check and cleaning cooling system, particularly radiator. Check thermostat and another possibility is water pump on its last legs.

[rsx84]

my temp gauge (when working)sat at about 1/3 all the time,

SteveL, i'd say your right on the money with your surggestions, a good cooling system flush about $20, may be replace the water pump if the flush dosent help, good coolant is another thing too..

[jfw10]

I've had an 87 Silh for years. Temp gauge has always sat about 1/2 way on the gauge, going a little higher in high temps using the aircon. Temp rising in the way you describe is not normal. Check and cleaning cooling system, particularly radiator. Check thermostat and another possibility is water pump on its last legs.

thx 4 the info steve will try what you said and let you know

[Matty T]

What about the thermo fan? Is it a clutch type (as in it is attached to the pulley where the water pump is, but can be turned by hand), or is it an electric one (mounted to the radiator)?

It sounds to me like you have fan issues, particularly if the car is fine when moving (air is flowing through the radiator).

My DR has a temp sensor in the bottom tank of the radiator, and that kicked in the electric fans. Unfortunately, the temp sensor stopped sensing, so the fans never came on! When driving, my temp was rock-solid, but as soon as I sat idling, it would climb and climb and climb and...well, you get the idea.

[rsx84]

What about the thermo fan? Is it a clutch type (as in it is attached to the pulley where the water pump is, but can be turned by hand), or is it an electric one (mounted to the radiator)?

It sounds to me like you have fan issues, particularly if the car is fine when moving (air is flowing through the radiator).

My DR has a temp sensor in the bottom tank of the radiator, and that kicked in the electric fans. Unfortunately, the temp sensor stopped sensing, so the fans never came on! When driving, my temp was rock-solid, but as soon as I sat idling, it would climb and climb and climb and...well, you get the idea.

its a clutch fan type and for it to stop altogether the pump would have to have siezed or the fan belt snapped? you'd notice this as soon as you open the bonnet with the engine running..

[Matty T]

If the clutch (in the fan) is on it's way out, it could cause the problem too. When the engine is idling, the fan should be rotating at about 1:1 with the crankshaft pulley. If the fan is going slower (particularly much slower) then it could be the culprit. With the engine stopped, spin the fan with your hand. There should be a little resistance in it.

Is the fan shroud missing / been removed? Is it using water?

Edited March 31, 2006 by Matty T