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Please Help! A/C and engine running hot when idling!

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Old 08-06-2012, 04:31 PM
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Please Help! A/C and engine running hot when idling!

I have looked through a lot of the threads and I'm not finding anyone with the same problem I'm having. When I come to a stop and sit for several minutes my a/c gradually starts getting warmer until it reaches very hot! At the same time my engine temp starts rising. Once I start driving again everything goes back to normal. My normal mechanic couldn't figure out what's wrong and everytime I go to the dealer I feel like they try to take advantage of me bc I'm a girl, plus they charge and arm and a leg to just take a look. So I'm hoping someone can help me please
Old 08-06-2012, 04:33 PM
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Do the radiator fans turn on? That could be the problem.
Old 08-06-2012, 04:37 PM
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Yes my fans to come on, when I first bought the car when it was really hot outside the fan would run for a min or 2 after shutting off the car. Now the fans run for much longer than that.
Old 08-06-2012, 04:59 PM
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You need to pressure test the coolant system. Is their any coolant loss?
Old 08-06-2012, 07:34 PM
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Make sure both fans are running, not just one. Also check for obstructions on/in the radiator coils.
Old 08-06-2012, 07:38 PM
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Also,

Look at the list in the $100 Thread in my signature.. I had exactly the same problems. Issue was the hot engine compartment air getting blown back around the radiator. AC goes first because the freon does not condense. Then the car temp rises. The first thing I would do is the foam around the radiator mod. It is just a few dollars worth of pipe insulation. There is a link to better data in the thread.

Also, data on the car and location would help.
Old 08-07-2012, 10:26 AM
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no coolant loss
Old 08-07-2012, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by kaylab
no coolant loss

But does the coolant system space over pressurize due to compression losses?
Old 08-07-2012, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by beodude
do the radiator fans turn on? That could be the problem.
Originally Posted by kevinande
make sure both fans are running, not just one. Also check for obstructions on/in the radiator coils.
+1 ^
Old 08-10-2012, 07:49 AM
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I have the same exact problem and changed the thermostat and flushed the radiator. The problem persist. Sitting in Miami traffic the temp gauge goes two ticks above the middle. I shut off the air and the temp goes down. Driving on highway, no problem, temp is normal and air blows great. When I turn the motor off the fan sometimes stays on for several minutes before shutting down. The hot engine light sometimes comes on for a brief period and then goes away. Also has new plugs installed due to a hesitation when accelerating. Same problems persist but not as bad. Going back to the garage this weekend to see what is causing this problem as well. My 2008 has been great up to this point but now have these two troublesome problems to over come. 54,000 miles.
Old 08-10-2012, 08:30 AM
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Hot engine light? I don't have one of those. Low coolant light maybe?
Old 08-10-2012, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Hesselrode
Hot engine light? I don't have one of those. Low coolant light maybe?
Thanks for the correction. Coolant level is fine with no over flow.
Regards
Old 08-12-2012, 02:34 AM
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Wow, I just posted a new thread about these EXACT same issues that you both are having (I guess I should have searched first).

I am experiencing the same problems to the T. Hot air/temp when idling and climbing hills. The fan is staying on for an abnormal amount of time after the car is turned off. My low coolant light is coming on very briefly sometimes as well. I even took it in already and the mechanic had no idea and told me to take it to Mazda.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE update this thread if you find a solution as I'd rather not take it to the stealership.

This is how hot mine gets: imgur: the simple image sharer

Last edited by ironj221; 08-12-2012 at 02:37 AM.
Old 08-12-2012, 06:05 AM
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All of you,

Coolant light is known issue with the sensor, search for that.........but for now, ignore that as it's not your issue.
Fans can actually run for up to 5-10 minutes after shutdown(that's in your manual). True, mine doesn't do it and I'm in Florida as well, but they can run for awhile.

To ironj221....................that's way too hot!
Don't drive the car like that or you're gonna be in serious trouble if not all ready. Go have that looked at ASAP.

You could have any one of several issues but the reality is, it should really never get above about 2 ticks to the right of center.

Last edited by Mazurfer; 08-12-2012 at 06:09 AM.
Old 08-12-2012, 07:47 AM
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Holy hot car Batman!!! 0.0
Old 08-12-2012, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Mazurfer
To ironj221....................that's way too hot!
Don't drive the car like that or you're gonna be in serious trouble if not all ready. Go have that looked at ASAP.

You could have any one of several issues but the reality is, it should really never get above about 2 ticks to the right of center.
Alright, I didn't know that was considered really hot. I'll take it to Mazda on Monday and report back what I find out as it will most likely apply to everyone else.

I've still been driving because this ONLY happens when climbing a big hill or the car is idling. I'll grab my neighbors car for now.
Old 08-13-2012, 07:05 PM
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Solution

$400 later...the problem is the thermostat getting stuck, guys. Just replace that and you're good to go. Air is cold and the temp stays below the middle (even when 105 outside).

A good sign that you have the same problem as me is....while you are driving, is the temp gauge fluctuating a lot? It should stay pretty much stationary near the middle and not move.
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