Overheating again

[awnm2002]

My 2002 Camaro is starting to annoy me. It's about to hit the five-year mark and lots of little BS things are starting to bug.

The latest is an intermittant overheating problem. First thing in the morning (has yet to happen once the car's been run for the day), it will warm up normally, but when it gets to about 210 (normal), the gauge keeps climbing and the heater vents still blow cold. Eventually, about the time I start to panic, the heat kicks on and the temp gauge drops to normal range.

This happened twice in the span of about a month so we changed the thermostat about a month ago. It happened again today.

What else beside the thermostat could be causing this? My antifreeze tested fine a couple months ago.

On an unrelated note, my "service engine soon" light came on and I popped over to AutoZone to have the code read. It came back with a running lean condition and the guy said it was probably the O2 sensor. My gas mileage has dropped over the last three fill-ups and he said that makes it very likely it's the O2 sensor. He did tell me that because the sensor is part of the emission control system, it should be covered under the warranty, epsecially since my car only has 48k miles. Does this sound right? I've yet to call the dealer because I want to make sure I know what I'm talking about so they don't blow me off. I have to dig out my warranty paperwork when I get home tonight.

Thanks in advance.

[bcraig]

Re: Overheating again

you could try the water pump, or flushing your system

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Overheating again

The t-stat will not cause that problem, the t stat only contorls flow to the radiator, not the heater core. To me, it sounds like you have air in they system.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Overheating again

you sure its full of water? have you checked around for leaks? check the caps, and around the intake mainifold. something is wrong, and its not the water pump or the t-stat

[awnm2002]

Re: Overheating again

you sure its full of water? have you checked around for leaks? check the caps, and around the intake mainifold. something is wrong, and its not the water pump or the t-stat

It's full. No leaks, caps are tight.

What' annoying is it only pops up every so often. Three times in the last three months and only first thing in the morning. Never (knock on wood) after the car has sat all day at work.

Thanks for the input!

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Overheating again

maybe there is nonthing wrong, maybe just a faulty gauge or temp senser.

[zerofailure]

Re: Overheating again

i would check the fluid level and top it off, then use the bleeder screw to let the air out of it, start engine let it idle to normal temp, then bleed it again.
unless the thermostat is getting stuck every now and then i dont kno, you could try flushing it maybe a blockage somewhere? could it be a head gasket?
coolent could be leaking somewhere in the engine, but then again u would be getting coolent loss...

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Overheating again

i would check the fluid level and top it off, then use the bleeder screw to let the air out of it, start engine let it idle to normal temp, then bleed it again.
unless the thermostat is getting stuck every now and then i dont kno, you could try flushing it maybe a blockage somewhere? could it be a head gasket?
coolent could be leaking somewhere in the engine, but then again u would be getting coolent loss...

ITS NOT THE T-STAT. He's heater is not working when this is happinging. If it was the t-stat the heater would be blower super hot!

[awnm2002]

Re: Overheating again

i would check the fluid level and top it off, then use the bleeder screw to let the air out of it, start engine let it idle to normal temp, then bleed it again.
unless the thermostat is getting stuck every now and then i dont kno, you could try flushing it maybe a blockage somewhere? could it be a head gasket?
coolent could be leaking somewhere in the engine, but then again u would be getting coolent loss...

I'll check the coolant again and try the bleeder. Thanks!

[Tech]

Re: Overheating again

Flush the coolant and refill, you can use the bleeder if you want but I would just fill it up and give it a series of big revs with the coolant cap off (I gave it about 8-12)...you will see air bubbles coming out of the top and eventually stop appearing put the cap on and you're good to go.

[crushedout]

Re: Overheating again

Flush the coolant and refill, you can use the bleeder if you want but I would just fill it up and give it a series of big revs with the coolant cap off (I gave it about 8-12)...you will see air bubbles coming out of the top and eventually stop appearing put the cap on and you're good to go.

Thats one way.......or use the bleeder, its there for a reason

[97fbirdgirl]

Re: Overheating again

Sorry...bad news for you...

My car is doing the EXACT same thing, and today I took it into the shop because I replaced the thermostat, water pump, even radiator thinking I had a clog (it wasn't taking much coolant).

They opened her up and found out that cylinder 5 is full of coolant. Most likely head gasket...I'm waiting to hear more...

Sorry!!!!!!!!!

[Vanquish]

Re: Overheating again

Well, I'm just now reading this post and I was going to say it was the head gasket, but he said that he wasn't loosing any coolant.

Have you checked your water pump to make sure it is working properly and has no small leaks. Also, it can never hurt to do a flush and fill. We're not sure what type of shape your coolant is in (or maybe I missed the post where you described it). Also, check your hoses and see what type of condition they are in, they should be getting pretty old at this point and on the verge of being ready to be changed out.

And you also said that as the guage starts to get higher and higher in temp, the A/C is still blowing cold air........that leads me to believe there may be a problem with your heater core. If the problem persists, bypass your heater core and see what happens then. That is of course unless it's cold where you live and you need heat in your car to survive from frostbite. :)

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Overheating again

and yes, 02 sensors can be covered under federal emissions laws which means 8yr, 80K but many dealers do not know this and do not want you to know it. they make more money from you

[Jpx87]

Re: Overheating again

i had an overheating problem in my 96 camaro turned out to be the fan was going up and only came on every now and then. so when the car was sitting at a light or just idleling it would overheat but when it was moving and fresh cool air was hitting it, it was fine. it might be something yo uwant to check before yo u spend a lot of moeny trying to fix the problem.