Did my car just fix itself?

[Michael_]

Last year before winter my 1969 dodge charger r/t 440 automatic had serious overheating issues at idling and city traffic.
When going 80 mph on the autobahn there was no issue.
Unfortunately due to time and weather i wasn't able to start working on this until today.

So i started it up and let it idle for about 20 minutes and the problem is GONE. (Without doing anything)
See attached picture.

I noticed the fan clutch made noise last time the issue occured and today it did not.
My dad claims he adjusted / tightened down the bolts on the fan clutch.

As far as i know you cant really adjust the fan clutch but who knows, maybe it really was just loose?
Either that or i think the problem most likely wont be gone for long...

If its comming back i guess its probably the thermostat (sometimes opening and sometimes not) or, most likely, the fan clutch going out?

I dont really think its the radiator, engine internal (cooling lines) or water pump (housing) under this circumstances, right?
Car also does not throw blue or white smoke out of the back... Runs pretty good!
Heater Core is bypassed right now and soon to be fixed.

Plan is to test drive it as soon as possible.
Unfortunately its going to rain again in the next couple days...

 

[Dave6T4]

In my experience, cars hardly ever fix themselves.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

In my experience, cars hardly ever fix themselves.

Somewhat not true. A noisy rod will eventually throw itself out of the block. This fixing that issue. But causing another.

 

[Michael_]

In my experience, cars hardly ever fix themselves.

Yes i agree.
I was really stunned when the problem was gone.

I think its most likely the thermostat or fan clutch going out.
Just wanted to see what other people think since im not being able to test drive in the next couple days...

 

[Michael_]

Added the picture in the first post.

 

[ruffcut]

Off hand, I think Christine was the only car that fixed itself. ruffcut

 

[Purepony]

You sure you don’t have air in the system ?

When was the last time any of the cooling sister components were replaced ?

 

[oldbee]

You sure you don’t have air in the system ?

When was the last time any of the cooling sister components were replaced ?

I think you had some air in cooling system. That pic of gauges looks exactly like mine.Cross ur fingers, should be OK.

 

[Michael_]

You sure you don’t have air in the system ?

When was the last time any of the cooling sister components were replaced ?

I think you had some air in cooling system. That pic of gauges looks exactly like mine.Cross ur fingers, should be OK.

It's possible because right before the winter the coolant was changed.
It already overheated before BUT at this point a coolant hose was leaking...

So not 100% sure what has caused the overheating but will find out soon.