Recently my car has been running hotter than usual, not while driving on the freeway ect. but when I let it cool down or do stop and go it is registering above 200 on the temp gauge. Has there been any issues with fan motors or temp sensors? I know the thermostate is 192, and it used to go to 200 and I wouldn't worry, but now it is noticeably higher, But not anywhere near the red, it just seems to be running hotter, and this bothers me. I am going to check to see if and when the fan turns on, and I will take a picture of the temp guage so I can post it. I was just wondering if there are any know faults so I can prevent a potential overheat. Any info is appreiciate, Thanks.

 

hopefully you have already checked the coolant level (this is a given, since srt's have a habit of sipping on coolant). its possible the problem lies in a sensor, or your coolant isnt circulating properly. the air is keeping it a litle cooler at higher speeds, but it could be the thermostat needs replacing. this is where i would start.

 

Thanks, I am going to check everything, but the car only has 8000mi on it, but have had the car 2.5 years, it has been sitting in the garage almost all year, does sitting hurt these cars. Just don't have the time to drive the car. Is it worth while to use a 180 thermostate? Where does the coolant go? And by no means is the car overheating, its just a little higher than I like it to be, while I let the turbo cool, the temp sometimes will go back down to 200, but while cruising it usually stays below 200. Another thing, I don't change the oil very often because it doesn't reach 3000 mi, I use mobile one and change it on average of once or twice a year pending on usage, this year I put less than a thousand miles on the car but was "due" for an oil change in early july. I know contamination gets in the oil, and like a motorcycle you need to change the oil before storing regardless of miles, but this would seem like throwing money away. I think I am just paranoid, Thanks for the info.

 

you should def. change the oil out if the car has been sitting for any amount of time. also, if it 'sits' in one spot, it should be moved forward/backward about 1/3 rotation of the tires every few weeks to prevent a flat spot from forming on the tires. also note that other fluids do separate over time of just sitting. im not honestly if this type of coolant would.
back to your question of where the coolant resivor is located, its circled in green:


just make sure you put the correct type of fluid in (the orange stuff or universal, not the green) and take note as to wether you buy the premixed or the stuff you must mix with water.

you may also want to check to make sure nothing is 'plugging' up your hoses, thermostat or radiator. im going on guesswork here but if your fluid separated there may be some 'sludge' buidlup that needs some cleaning. again i dont know if this stuff would separate in that manner but i would ask around.

 

These cars have a habit of running on the "hot" side. If you've ever seen prototypes of the first SRT-4s, they didn't have the square cutouts between the headlights. Then, after testing them in the Cali desert, they added them at the last minute.

One of the major reasons synthetic oil is recommended is that it stands up to high heat without breaking down better than dino oil.

It doesn't really sound like you have any problem. If you want, you can add one of those bolt on shrouds to direct more air to the cooling system, but it's probably not really needed. Here in Texas, I noticed that when I run the A/C in traffic, the temp goes higher than it does at any other time........

Dusty

 

When I get on it my temp will sometimes go to 220-230, the normal operating range in the manual says that is fine when the car is under heavy loud(wot beating, hehe). But to prevent that and timing being pulled when its hot like that I am adding a 180 stat, full coolant flush, all new coolant with water wetter, and replacing that poor cap that has to endure those temps

Jordan

oh ya check your cap it could be deteriating, thats what I was told to check first going to go check it now since I just remembered.

 

if you are really paranoid, get a 180 t-stat and a fan switch, mine never goes close to 200 even when racing with a big turbo upgrade

 

Read your manual.

The line ABOVE cold (solid line) and the line ABOVE 200.
In between them is normal operating temperature for the car.

Don't bother with the thermostat, just buy a piece of wire, run it from the fan relay to the negative battery terminal and your fan will be on at all times, not when the coolant reaches a certain temp only.