Mystery overheating problem please help!

[Camaroingfool]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

come to think of it, it only happens when I'm going down the road. at idle id doesnt do a whole lot. when im going down the road i hear it boil and see the steam of it coming out of the overflow tank. :frown: I'm definatly going to get it flushed tomorrow.

however i can see the temperature of the coolant in my gauges, but could i still have a bad temp sensor?

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

come to think of it, it only happens when I'm going down the road. at idle id doesnt do a whole lot. when im going down the road i hear it boil and see the steam of it coming out of the overflow tank. :frown: I'm definatly going to get it flushed tomorrow.

however i can see the temperature of the coolant in my gauges, but could i still have a bad temp sensor?

My wife's old Saturn had a separate sensor in the radiator to control the fans. Not sure about these cars (BLLDOGG will probably know).

If the radiator is clogged, a flush may not do the trick (of course start there). Do you have a lot of bent fins on the radiator?

[Camaroingfool]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

i havent really gotten a good look. of what I've seen it didnt look too bad.

once again thanks for all the help guys.

[T-Mill]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

I agree that it's probly the radiator, if the engine was rebuilt, and then switched to regular coolant, there still may have been dexcool in the radiator. and when the two types of coolant mix, it's bad news.

For some reason, I don't think it's your water pump, b/c the coolant is definitely getting through the engine, because it's getting hot, it wouldn't get so hot if it wasn't being pumped through the system. It doesn't sound like the thermo for the same reason. My guess would be the radiator, b/c the coolant will be hot enough to make a lot of steam if it's evacuated into the overflow, and the only reason I can think of for enough to go into the overflow and make it leak as bad as you're describing is if the water pump is working correctly, but once it gets to the radiator, it has no where else to go but out into the overflow.

Try getting it flushed somewhere... and when you do, ask how they do it. I worked at Sears and they do what's called a coolant exchange, which pushes the old coolant out with new coolant, and that's it... fine for replacing old coolant, but not good for removing sludge. Make sure that they actually flush the entire system, they may even be able to use some chemicals to flush just the radiator if you describe to them your problem.... see how that goes.

[Big Tymer]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

boils equals stuck thermo... i just had that problem lol...... ur seal on the pump will also end up going out in not too long if u dont fix it...... get a 180 or 160 thermo also when u change it....

[Fred]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

Yeah check your thermostat again and make sure it's not broken or stuck.

[Joey41]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

I would suggest removing the radiator and taking it to a reputable radiator shop to have them flush/clean it. I had Firestone power flush mine... What a joke, it did nothing. The radiator shop tried and found that it was clogged big time. He only charged me about $17 to diagnose it. Water pump is easy to replace on the 3.8 and from what I remeber inexpensive. I just had the intake leak myself and replaced the radiator and it fixed the overheating problem. Got my new radiator for $160 with tax, lifetime warrenty. Hope this helps.

[Joey41]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

It was mentioned in a previous post I just read that boiling equals a stuck thermo.... I replced my thermostat and mine still boiled, because of my clogged radiator that I eventually had to replace.

[T-Mill]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

It was mentioned in a previous post I just read that boiling equals a stuck thermo.... I replced my thermostat and mine still boiled, because of my clogged radiator that I eventually had to replace.

exactly... in order for the coolant to get hot enough to boil it has to make it through the system... and it can't do that unless the thermo works. Definitely sounds like a radiator clog, b/c the coolant is going through the system and making it back to the radiator, but isn't going through it, at least not easily. So it sits there and builds up a lil pressure, starts to boil and spill into the overflow causing lots of steam and spill.

[Camaroingfool]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

thats exactly whats been happening, i really think it is a clogged radiator. NOw just to find the time to go to the shop. something that may make it clearer, when I drained it and refilled it, it barely used 1 container of anitfreeze and water, is that how is should be or what?

[Rob Bell]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

If you just drained the radiator it may not have all that much in there, you'll still have lots of coolant in the engine, hoses, and heater core. But only 1 gallon of coolant/water mix does seem a little low.

Depending on the age and mileage of the radiator, you may be better off just getting a new one if you're going to pull it out anyway for a flush.

[Camaroingfool]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

i agree, plus I'd hate to waste the money on a flush, just to find out i need a new radiator. thanks again for all the help guys

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

make sure your air damn is still under the car that will cause over heating when moving

i would replace your water pump any way, its only about $30 and about 30-60 minutes to replace for the 3.8 motor

the system should take 2 gallons of radatior fluid

[Camaroingfool]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

matter of fact, the air damn is not there, i'm sure that would help, however i dont think that could cause it to boil. Yeah i think I'll replace my radiator, waterpump, and a few hoses. hopefully i can keep it under about $250. anyone have an extra air damn that they'd be willing to sell?

[Earnhardt132000]

Re: Mystery overheating problem please help!

If the air damn isn't there, how is air supposed to get anywhere near the motor? Through the lights...? Its pretty much the only thing forcing cold moving air through the engine compartment.