Overheating

[DeuceX]

My Firebird just started to overheat at times. The gauge'll go all the way to 260* and the check gauge light comes on. I've pulled over to turn the car off, but before I could do so the guage would drop back down to normal specs and the light would go off. This happens just about every time I drive the car, and I've tested it to make sure the light always goes off within like 10-15 seconds. Sometimes it takes longer, but thats the times I turn the car off to make sure no damage is done. I'm going to have the water pump (cause its been making noises lately) and the thermostat (most common cause that I'm aware of) checked and/or replaced today. Any thoughts?

[kristen]

Re: Overheating

if the water pump is making noises i would put money down saying that, that is your problem. there could also be air in your system. they are very easy things to do yourself. what year is your car? i have a water pump that i'm looking to get ride of for cheap lol

[techsan23]

Re: Overheating

is it overheating while your driving at certain speeds or sitting still? my chin spoiler was displacing so much air over the top of the car that i was overheating driving 90mph. the factory fans dont kick on till about 220 degrees and thats only the low fans. my thermostat is a 185 causing huge losses of power when hot. i wired a switch for my high fans so i can turn them on when i get caught in traffic and it works great.

[DeuceX]

Re: Overheating

My car's a 96, and while these are easy repairs, I don't have the time to perform them myself.

[josh98bird]

Re: Overheating

Time? Just makes sure the coolant is full and bleed the air out... 5 minutes tops!!!!

[Blue02]

Re: Overheating

Is it an electrical problem possibly? Or is it really running hot? (Does it "smell" hot? Is the water boiling? <just listen for it, don't look!)

[greasemonkey]

Re: Overheating

Time? Just makes sure the coolant is full and bleed the air out... 5 minutes tops!!!!

^ what he said.

I haven't given my water pump a good look, but most water pumps have a weep hole that they leak out of when they go bad. I would bleed it first, see what happens, then replace the water pump. They shouldn't be all that expenensive.

[DeuceX]

Re: Overheating

'twas the thermostat. I'll pull the water pump off later to replace it.