[wildrage]

I've been having some cooling issues with my 2001 Cat Sport. I recently replaced a cracked radiator and that didn't do it. From what I've read from searching, this may or may not be normal.

Car comes up to normal temp fine. If I drive directly onto the highway, going 65, the temp stays steady at a hair above center. If say, I stop at a light, it will move up a little more. When I start going 65 again, however, it doesn't come back down. I would think that it would cool down to normal. When it does get to the point where the fan kicks in (the next small line from center), the fan gets it cooled down to dead center in about 60 seconds.

I'm confused, because I would think driving at 65mph would have the same cooling effect...I guess not.

In stop and go, city traffic, the fan comes on a lot. Once the temp gets to that next small line the fan will come on and cool it down to center. After 5 or so minutes of the same driving, the fan comes on again - and it repeats this cycle. This happens in both 80 degree weather, and last night, when it was 55 degrees and raining.

The temp has NEVER gone above the next small line after dead center, so although I dont think this is harming the engine, I also don't think it is normal for the fan to be running this much. I'm not losing any coolant.

I'm planning on replacing the thermostat this weekend. Does that sound like a logical guess? My only 2 options now are the thermostat and the water pump, and it looks like the thermostat is a little bit easier. I ordered the housing, the 2 O rings, and the larger bolt.

Has anyone experienced this? Any other ideas as to what would be causing this behavior...or is it normal?


Thanks


Jim