hey evan..

I have a few guesses...and only guesses since this is a strange problem. I'm going off of what you wrote as well, and many times what we know for sure turns out to be wrong.

First off i'd clean out the radiator. By this i mean i'd drain the system flush a few times....then take out the whole radiator..and clean out the gunk between the fins. The mud or dust may have accumulated and is not allowing air flow.

The second thing i'd go after is the thermostat. It may be broken in a wierd way that is allowing this problem. I'd replace it if it's old.

The third thing i can think of is....the waterpump. IT's possible something has broken or something...not allowing the pump to circulate water? So when you are giving it gas...its circulating water...but just barely....but when you don't give it gas..irregardless of speed...it doesn't really circulate water well? This coudl go for very very loose belts as well?

Check all of these out.

Another thing i'd definately check out is the air filter...it may be way clogged causing the car to run rich ( i dont' know what effect it would have on temp though)...


GOod luck