What can I expect during an Arizona summer

Hello all,

I just bought my 5th gen in November and use it to commute daily. I have had to replace the Reg/Rec already shortly after I bought it so that should be good. My main concern now is how well does the VFR handle extreme heat. My logical brain makes me think that the tight packaging would make cooling more difficult than normal. But, I'm not a high paid engineer lol.

Right now with temps starting to hit the mid 90's there is a bit of a coolant smell after I get home and I notice that it creeps over 200 on the temp gauge if I'm in flowing traffic. Last check of the coolant bottle a couple of weeks ago it had plenty of coolant and the fans seem to kick on ~220 just by judging the temp gauge. I notice in other threads that the fan kick on temp is about normal but my cruising temps are a bit high. Is this just a thing I have to deal with because I live near Satan's asshole or should I start diagnosing some issues?

 

I hit 200-220 every day regardless of outside temps after only a few min in slow or stop-n-go city speeds. If you are under 35mph chances are you will not cool below 200 because the air coming in defeats the fan blowing at that speed thus pretty much no airflow over the radiator. Steady speeds over 35 should keep it cool so long as you don't stop at all. Once it gets hot you really need to keep a decent speed for a while for it to cool down to 176-185 range. faster you go, quicker it cools down. Also, following behind a truck or line of cars will reduce airflow even at higher speeds.

It can be 100F outside and as long as I'm keeping it up in the 40+ mph range it won't go over 185 on the engine temp.

FYI,
A bad stator can fry your new r/r after time. Especially when it (stator) gets hot.

 

Check and top up coolant under the rad cap when system is cool. Level in overflow bottle may or MAY NOT be a true representation of cooling system fullness. Install a manual fan switch in addition to the automatic one.

Be sure your radiator and oil cooler fins are straight and clear of insect remains.