New problem concerning radiator..UPDATE..NEED HELP

[Tyler]

well i ran my car for about 5 min.. then left it running in a parking lot for about 5 min. i come back in from the drug store only to notice a big puddle of radiator fluid on the ground..

i checked for leakes.. there are no leaks that i can find. its leaking underneath the battery.

could this mean that its time for a new thermostat? maybe its stuck closed?

help.. car overheated on the way home. luckily it was only a 2 min drive

[ October 13, 2003: Message edited by: Tyler ]</p>

[96sc]

Did you check the coolant level in the radiator? If the radiator is full of coolant, it's probably the thermostat. If not, then you have a leak ... either internal or external. Since you saw coolant underneath the car I would suspect an external leak. Check the coolant recovery reservoir; it is located directly under the battery.

If there are no visible external leaks, check for coolant in the oil (indications of cracked block/head or blown gasket).

Good luck.

[Tyler]

where is the thermostat located on the 3.8? im gonna do that tomorrow

[Tyler]

ok..just got home from driving.. car reached about.. 245 degrees...

anyways, im not quite sure weather its the thermostat or the waterpump. So when it got hot i decided to feel the radiator hoses..

and these are the results.


The hose on top of the radiator, leading to the thermostat, it was HOT.. VERY HOT to the touch..

The hose at the bottom of the radiator, leading to the water pump.. Ya.. Bone cold.

so would it be the waterpump?

[ka50]

Thermostat or clogged coolant lines, heater core or radiator.

Most likely thermostat, easiest to change, too. Excessive pressure might explain leaks.

Try changing thermo first (it's like couple of bucks).

[tmays]

It could also be the water pump. I had the same problem, couldn't find any leaks when the car is sitting at idle. I would only notice after driving for a while. When the car stops, the fluid that was leaking pours straight down. I hope its your thermo, the water pump was a PITA (but I have a gravel driveway).

[Tyler]

ok.. i installed a new thermostat..


these are the results..


i drove for a solid 30 min after i installed it.

it stayed cool for about 15 min.. then shot up to about 220 degrees.. maybe more..

then went back down to 180ish.

then it would go back up to 220-240ish..


only when im idleing is when it goes that hot.

when i start driving again.. it goes back down to 180. But the SECOND i stop and idle, it rushes back up to the mid 200's

[Camaro Bob]

Hey, have you checked for an air lock? Let it get hot, 220 ish, don't over heat it, disconnect the highest line you can find, one on your intake....if air spurts out, there was air in the system. Camaro V6's are known for it. Never overheat your car into the red zone on the guage....it does cause major metal problems.

[Tyler]

ok so where on the intake is this tube located.. other than the one where the thermostat goes?


also, its starting to overheat again even with this new thermostat. Should i put in a new water pump?


how much would a water pump cost for the 3.8