My 89 Omni will run fine as long as I'm running the engine and moving; however, once I let it idle, the temperature starts creeping up towards the H mark, then once I start moving again it drops back down to the midrange. I had the radiator replaced 6 months ago along with a coolant line leak and a new thermostat. It seems like it might be a belt of sorts that slips when the engine is idling. Any ideas?

9/7/2007 12:56:17 AM

You have an '89 Omni that still runs?

I think the whole "hot when idling" thing is the least of your problems.

9/7/2007 1:07:19 AM

only 99K, its definitely a beater, but I'd like to get as much out of it as possible

9/7/2007 1:10:15 AM

I don't know much about an omni, but your problem is probably fan related, which helps to cool the engine at low speeds and while stopped. If its electric, it may have failed and / or the relay that controls it. If its mechanical, the fan clutch has most likely failed

9/7/2007 8:37:44 AM

fan and/or air in the system.

9/7/2007 10:13:03 AM

when this happened to me in the past it was a stuck thermostat.

9/7/2007 10:16:30 AM

replace thermostat, look into fan clutch if thermostat doesn't help

9/7/2007 10:38:57 AM

Fan switch or sending unit

9/7/2007 10:47:01 AM

If it only does it while at idle, sitting still, my money is on the fan temp switch or relay. For one, an Omni is FWD and has an electric fan...no fan clutch. For two, if the thermostat was sticking, there would be a temperature rise AT ALL TIMES, especially at operating speeds or under load.

9/7/2007 10:59:21 AM

thanks

9/7/2007 12:36:10 PM

^^ when my thermostat got stuck on my honda and my M3 it would get hot at idle and cool down once i got some air moving through the radiator.

9/10/2007 8:57:41 AM

Who is this sparky mutherfucker?????

9/10/2007 9:00:03 AM

could be a simple as low coolant level too.

9/10/2007 7:53:18 PM

^That will actually do it.

9/10/2007 7:55:48 PM