Running Hot
Hello everyone, I'm new here. I've searched the existing threads and can't find anyone who is having a similar problem as I am.
I've had my 2005 crossfire since 2008 and it recently start running hot. The temperature in the Los Angeles area has been getting over 100+ degrees. My ambient temperature sensor will at times read between 5 and ~30 degrees hotter than the local weather reports. When I pull over, I can feel the hot air being pushed out of the lower part of the grill for a few feet.
I suspect that the ambient temperature sensor is working correctly and something is causing an excessive amount of heat to come from engine compartment, causing the guage to read much hotter than the outside.
About the same time as all of this, my car is also overheating when a load is applied. If I turn on the AC or am going up a hill, it seems to push the needle up toward the red. This morning, the outside actual temperature was mid- to hi- eighties and it started to overheat (without running the AC) as I was going up hill on the freeway (75mph, 6th gear).
It only happens when it's hot and there is an extra load. e.g. up hill, air conditioning. When it does happen, I can turn on the heater and the engine temperature comes down quickly.
The engine seems to be running smooth. There does not seem to be any moisture/coolant in the exhaust. The gas mileage has not changed since I've had the car. So, I have no reason to believe that there are any engine problems.
The oil was changed (mobile 1 synth) a couple of months ago. The coolant fan replaced about a month ago because the fan blades were actually warped. I put in a new thermastat a week ago.
What's my next step? Coolant flush? Ambient Temperature Sensor test/replacement?
Phillip Givens
2005 Crossfire Convertible LTD