Sounds to me like your electric fan isn't kicking on when the AC is off but engine is hot. You need to verify the temp sending unit is working and the electric fan.
2 reasons.
1) It overheated when you got home. This is usually because when running the clutch fan and driving are enough to cool the radiator. When you shut off it relies of the electric fan for a bit to stay cool after the clutch fan stops. My radiator literally exploded on my XJ after I got home and turned it off because I forgot to plug in my efan after adjusting my stearing box. Bad radiator caps cause boil over on shutoff commonly. If that sounds like you replace the cap.
2) It doesn't overheat sitting in traffic with the AC on. Turning on the AC forces the efan on OR your efan may not be working but the clutch fan is enough.
I highly recommend you pull the thermostat and verify it opens fully and reliably in boiling water at the specified temp. They fail a lot.
2 reasons.
1) It overheated when you got home. This is usually because when running the clutch fan and driving are enough to cool the radiator. When you shut off it relies of the electric fan for a bit to stay cool after the clutch fan stops. My radiator literally exploded on my XJ after I got home and turned it off because I forgot to plug in my efan after adjusting my stearing box. Bad radiator caps cause boil over on shutoff commonly. If that sounds like you replace the cap.
2) It doesn't overheat sitting in traffic with the AC on. Turning on the AC forces the efan on OR your efan may not be working but the clutch fan is enough.
I highly recommend you pull the thermostat and verify it opens fully and reliably in boiling water at the specified temp. They fail a lot.
