Check them temp the a/c condenser is running also if the trans is running through the radiator the 3 factor can be a cause like he said make sure its clear another thing to remember the water pump may not be working 100% ..Use a temp gauge and let me know how how the condenser is when its happening because the smallest peice of metal will clog it causeing friction and heat build up and the air passes through the condenser then the radiator aka condener heating up to 200' + pretty much makes the radiator inefficient to cool the system

 

if your on the highway does this issue happen of only if your at stop lights and low speeds

 

I've been on vacation this past week, so I have been completely offline - no cell, internet, nada, zip. Did not watch news, nothing. The week before that, I was driving my daughters 2004 Suzuki Forenza that I just did a head job on - blown gasket.

Thanks about the air dam info. I will check mine out.

It crawls upward even going down the road. In fact, it usually starts crawling upward almost immediately after cooling down the car. It really does not crawl upward any faster at stop lights, etc.

Temps have dropped significantly around here in the last two weeks, but August is coming, so I will have plenty of opportunities to find and fix it.

 

Status update.

1) replaced the thermo with a 180 deg one.
2) replaced the rad cap with a new one.

No help at all.

Found that I do indeed have a leak somewhere. Radiator fluid is getting out of the system somewhere, and worse, it is NOT pulling fluid from my overflow tank - it stays full even when the system is low.

I did a compression check - all good, so it is not a major problem there....yet.....

Damn. Most likely it is going to require a new head gasket unless the dye I put into the system reveals a leak somewhere in the numerous locations where the hoses can leak........Damn.....I would almost rather have an instant failure point to fix then to hunt down micro leaks......

 

would like to hear back from you about this i have the exact same problem i have my fans wired to a switch and run them all the time and i have a 160 degree thermostat and still have the overheat issue. my car is also an original 95 neon sohc. i have new radiator and coolant temp sensors on the head and on the block and still havent found a solution. ive even replaced ac compressor and all the ac stuff.the only thing i havent replaced is the heater core.

 

very interesting thread, my 97 has had this problem for the past 5 years and i'm always on the look-out for information about how ppl go about fixing this weird issue.
i've done all the standard usual stuff, check fins, flush system, new thermostat, etc etc, but on Hot days, and only while driving, the car still wants to overheat, note tho, the car can be parked in blistering heat all day, motor running with the AC on but not being driven, and the temps never budge :/
i like the one comment about the possibility of the fans not working at full potential..even tho they appear to run normally, if they are not getting to and staying at the max rpm that they need to be, then that might contribute to the overheating while driving since at speed, the fans could work differently with the air pressure on them than they would at idle.

 

I have an '03 neon sxt and having the same problem.. After doing some research and taking the front bumper halfway off looking for the air dam, I noticed a hard plastic looking piece directly behind the 2 bottom pieces of the grill that was blocking half of the air that would normally flow through to the radiator. I searched online and found out that it is a factory part that is hard foam and helps absorb impact in the instance of an accident. It says that if taken off it must be replaced. It also covers the entire back side of the front bumper. Note, my car also is missing the air dam :-\ So...I'm willing to bet with these cars having this safety feature that blocks airflow through the 2 bottom pieces of the grill is why there was the need for the air dam. Missing that part along with the blockage of air and a\c dumping hot air in front of the radiator causes engine overheating is my theory.