Ok I'm not sure what to think of this. New water pump, New T-Stat, New clean 50/50 coolant, new radiator cap.

Cruising over 45 MPG the engine will never get past the normal temp for the Z car. but at idle and slow speeds it will go to EXACTLY 3/4 of the gauge. To hot for my tastes.

But whats odd is if I turn the car off and wait around 30 seconds it will be at normal temp and stay there for awhile. Think I have a bad sensor or something?

I'm missing the top half of my fan shroud but its always been like that and has never overheated.

 

try the fan clutch?

 

I checked that. Its spinning freely with no catching and its not seized up.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong. But I believe the fan is supposed to fight you a little. When you try to spin it by hand. From what you are describing. Then fan might be freewheeling. And that could be your problem.

You could also check your top radiator hose, and see if it's hot or not. That is how I tested my temp, until I got my gauge working again.

 

Er... I worded that horribly. Yes it has a little resistance, but its not binding or stuck.

And ya it gets hot. Just I don't have a fancy laser thermometer like Nismo has to check the temp of it.

If I can find my spare fan clutch I might change it anyways to see what happens.

 

If you are good at taking risks, hold the fan with a screwdriver or something blunt while someone starts the car if you feel good resistance than probably not fan clutch. but be quick to pull out if too much resistance. Also, when car runs hot shut off and feel for cold spots in radiator ....may be clogged .

most likely it's the clutch from the symptoms you have explained....air flows through radiator when moving keeping it cool but at stand still it relies on fan. you should also be able to hear the fan lock up when temp rises ....

 

Okay.... Not gonna try that cuz I do like my fingers. But I'll just put on my spare fan clutch. and check for cold spots on the radiator.