2004 Park Avenue hot in the city

[ParkAveCore]

Hey everyone! First post here!
Just bought a 2004 Park Avenue, my first Buick since my 73 Riviera I had in the early 2000’s!
It’s running an 1/8th line over half on the temp gauge in the city and 1/4 under on the freeway.
I was going to do a thermostat swap and a radiator flush tomorrow.
Do you all think that will fix the issue?
Thanks everyone!!

 

[HotZ28]

Welcome to the Buick Forums. Is one coolant fan running with the AC activated when this happens? When the engine reaches 225°F, both fans should run high speed. If you choose to replace the thermostat, be sure to get a Stant fail safe and if it ever fails, it will fail in the open position.

 

[Silvermist]

Do you have an OBD II scan tool where you can look at live data and see what the actual temperature is? It seems like GM put the gauge there to indicate cold or "oh shit" because there really is nothing telling what the temp actually is, lol.

 

[ParkAveCore]

Welcom to the Buick Forums. Is one coolant fan running with the AC activated when this happens? When the engine reaches 225°F, both fans should run high speed. If you choose to replace the thermostat, be sure to get a Stant fail safe and if it ever fails, it will fail in the open position.

Thanks for the advice!! I will get that fail safe.
Both fans are running high speed with the AC on

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[ParkAveCore]

Do you have an OBD II scan tool where you can look at live data and see what the actual temperature is? It seems like GM put the gauge there to indicate cold or "oh shit" because there really is nothing telling what the temp actually is, lol.

Lol!!! No I don’t have the tool but I have a mechanic that’s not too expensive, just always try going as a last option.
Sounds like there a chance it’s possibly not actually overheating then.

 

[ParkAveCore]

Hey everyone! First post here!
Just bought a 2004 Park Avenue, my first Buick since my 73 Riviera I had in the early 2000’s!
It’s running an 1/8th line over half on the temp gauge in the city and 1/4 under on the freeway.
I was going to do a thermostat swap and a radiator flush tomorrow.
Do you all think that will fix the issue?
Thanks everyone!!

I really rolled the dice with this car. 184,000 on the clock but well maintained. I hope it’s a 300,000 mile prize winner

 

[HotZ28]

The Engine Coolant Temp sensor (ETC) could also be giving false readings to the gauge.

 

[Silvermist]

Lol!!! No I don’t have the tool but I have a mechanic that’s not too expensive, just always try going as a last option.
Sounds like there a chance it’s possibly not actually overheating then.

Ya I honestly think your car is running at normal temperature but I can't be sure and I don't want you to have any problems because of me. The only way to accurately check is to use a code scanner that can read live data. Of course a tech II is the best but expensive. From my experience, my coolant temp gauge will get close to 3/4 (5/8 really, lol) in city traffic just sitting there. I live in north east Ohio so I'm happy with the stock thermostat during winter. You can always put a cooler one in depending on your location.

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[ParkAveCore]

The Engine Coolant Temp sensor (ETC) could also be giving false readings to the gauge.

Oh ok, I’ll look at that too. Thanks, this forum is really cool. I was lurking while doing research for this car

 

[Silvermist]

I'd say a trip to the mechanic now will be much cheaper than a trip to them if a head gasket fails. The mechanic can see everything on their scanner and proceed from there.

 

[ParkAveCore]

I'd say a trip to the mechanic now will be much cheaper than a trip to them if a head gasket fails. The mechanic can see everything on their scanner and proceed from there.

Very good point, better not be stubborn with the new ride
Cheers

 

[Silvermist]

and @BuickGirlFromMars is your best friend. She might even have better suggestions than I can give.

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[ParkAveCore]

Ya I honestly think your car is running at normal temperature but I can't be sure and I don't want you to have any problems because of me. The only way to accurately check is to use a code scanner that can read live data. Of course a tech II is the best but expensive. From my experience, my coolant temp gauge will get close to 3/4 (5/8 really, lol) in city traffic just sitting there. I live in north east Ohio so I'm happy with the stock thermostat during winter. You can always put a cooler one in depending on your location.

Oh wow 5/8 and still running good, definitely not a precise gauge for sure

 

[Silvermist]

Very good point, better not be stubborn with the new ride
Cheers

Absolutely, I don't want to point you in the wrong direction by saying the vehicle is fine when you have a concern that is valid.

 

[ParkAveCore]

and @BuickGirlFromMars is your best friend. She might even have better suggestions than I can give.

Oh dang, I need to hit her up, I just followed her, thanks!!

 

[Silvermist]

Oh wow 5/8 and still running good, definitely not a precise gauge for sure

Ya, I think if I take a left turn fast enough it would go to full stink, lol I'm exaggerating... a lot.

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[Silvermist]

Oh dang, I need to hit her up, I just followed her, thanks!!

She retains knowledge like I retain weight. Very smart. I do have factory 98 park avenue dealer repair manuals coming in the mail. It's not pertaining to 2004 but there are a lot of things that can be cross referenced and hopefully help.

 

[ParkAveCore]

She retains knowledge like I retain weight. Very smart. I do have factory 98 park avenue dealer repair manuals coming in the mail. It's not pertaining to 2004 but there are a lot of things that can be cross referenced and hopefully help.

Thanks for being so cool to the new guy Silvermist, much appreciated!

 

[Silvermist]

Heck ya, everyone is cool. Life is way better when we all have fun, laugh, and fix stuff, lol.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

does your temp readout(digital) kinda jive with mine here? The car SHOULD be able to get that far with a needle, the ones in mine have to be understood as not straight on shots, so they are more to the right of center than youd realize. To me, sounds like cap, thermostat, plugged line between reservoir and radiator, and condition of coolant should be inspected.

See the orange fanta? Dex cool when nice and clean mmmmmm thats what you want to see not the previous pic(water and the scale that existed in there for years)
Something to note is the readout on the IPC And the gauge will both not match the live data of a scan tool
A scan tool will likely go to higher numbers amd change all the time. Thats intentioned to make the cluster "smooth" it out since it only

Oh wow 5/8 and still running good, definitely not a precise gauge for sure

Oh its precise. ish. the upper temp range the resistance values get some wider gaps just llike when really cold. the max temp, or close

Does your car have a IPC with the slew of buttons on the left side or do you have only 2 buttons? to the left of the IPC that is.