overheating problem
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: OC Cali
overheating problem
Took the car to the Home Depot yesterday, short drive maybe 5-6 miles. Just before I get there I get a check gages warning and the temp gage is pegged at 260 degrees!
I immidiatly turned off the engine and parked it. I lifted the hood and found no obvious problems, coolent in the tank, no leaks anywhere and no "odd" smells. Waited about 15 mintues and started it, turned on the heater full blast and took it home. Temp stayed below 220. Now I am very concerned and need some advice.
Any idea what caused this?
No engine mods other than Haltrap and a 170 degree thermo installed about a 18 months ago. No previous overheating problems. 2000, 6speed, 30k miles.
I immidiatly turned off the engine and parked it. I lifted the hood and found no obvious problems, coolent in the tank, no leaks anywhere and no "odd" smells. Waited about 15 mintues and started it, turned on the heater full blast and took it home. Temp stayed below 220. Now I am very concerned and need some advice.Any idea what caused this?
No engine mods other than Haltrap and a 170 degree thermo installed about a 18 months ago. No previous overheating problems. 2000, 6speed, 30k miles.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
Likes: 12
From: Hermosa Beach CA
If it didn't overheat driving home, that tells you it's a failed/failing thermostat or you have air in the system. Thermostats on these cars are supposed to fail in open position but that would be in a perfect world.
Replace it just to be safe... to be even safer, drill one or two 1/8" holes along the perimeter of the thermo. It's not the ideal fix but it is a preventative... both for air in the lines or a stuck closed thermostat.
Replace it just to be safe... to be even safer, drill one or two 1/8" holes along the perimeter of the thermo. It's not the ideal fix but it is a preventative... both for air in the lines or a stuck closed thermostat.
Team Owner
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I would say you sucked a plastic bag up in there....blocking air flow....crawl under and look.....air in the system is unlikely since it just happened.....while you are at it clean the raditor fins.....pull the top shroud off and you can clean from the top down...a dryer lint brush works well also...$5 at Home Depot....nice long and thin....
Team Owner
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From: Here
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Originally Posted by Architect
If it didn't overheat driving home, that tells you it's a failed/failing thermostat or you have air in the system. Thermostats on these cars are supposed to fail in open position but that would be in a perfect world.
Replace it just to be safe... to be even safer, drill one or two 1/8" holes along the perimeter of the thermo. It's not the ideal fix but it is a preventative... both for air in the lines or a stuck closed thermostat.
Replace it just to be safe... to be even safer, drill one or two 1/8" holes along the perimeter of the thermo. It's not the ideal fix but it is a preventative... both for air in the lines or a stuck closed thermostat.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
I’m surprised no one asked if his fans were working.
I had a problem in Carlisle a few years ago with my 98 Vert. It started just as we left the fairground traffic jam on Sat... (Tempt about 96 or so)
Made it to the hotel and no fans were running for some unknown reason, car got real hot. No blockage in radiator. (First thing I checked) By turning on the AC the fan started running. Remember that turning on the AC will automatically turn on the fans in normal operation... It also worked in this "not Normal operation”. Read the codes and could find nothing wrong. Took a chance and pulled battery cable for a1/2 hour and all worked well after that. Had the car for a year later with no problem.
I cannot explain it..
"
I had a problem in Carlisle a few years ago with my 98 Vert. It started just as we left the fairground traffic jam on Sat... (Tempt about 96 or so)
Made it to the hotel and no fans were running for some unknown reason, car got real hot. No blockage in radiator. (First thing I checked) By turning on the AC the fan started running. Remember that turning on the AC will automatically turn on the fans in normal operation... It also worked in this "not Normal operation”. Read the codes and could find nothing wrong. Took a chance and pulled battery cable for a1/2 hour and all worked well after that. Had the car for a year later with no problem.
I cannot explain it..
"
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Originally Posted by SleeperC5
Are the fans coming on?
:
:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,496
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From: San Dimas Ca.
My battery died suddenly so I changed my it and took the car for a drive. After a couple of miles the temp gauge pegged. Shoved in the clutch coasted off the freeway opened the hood and it appeared to be normal. Felt the radiator, hoses etc. but they were not that hot. Got in started it back up temperature said 200 drove for awhile then it happened again. Checked again and it was the same. I decide it was a bad sensor. Drove it home with the gauge pegged. Was going to buy a new sensor then I thought I will check for codes. Sure enough because the battery died and I tried to jump it there was a bunch of codes. Reset everything started it up and everything was back to normal. Nothing has happened since, all the gauges work normally now. Hope your as lucky! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Originally Posted by Architect
If it didn't overheat driving home, that tells you it's a failed/failing thermostat or you have air in the system. Thermostats on these cars are supposed to fail in open position but that would be in a perfect world.
Replace it just to be safe... to be even safer, drill one or two 1/8" holes along the perimeter of the thermo. It's not the ideal fix but it is a preventative... both for air in the lines or a stuck closed thermostat.
Replace it just to be safe... to be even safer, drill one or two 1/8" holes along the perimeter of the thermo. It's not the ideal fix but it is a preventative... both for air in the lines or a stuck closed thermostat.
Thanks..
SLPRC5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Bay Area CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
My 03 with 36k miles overheated the other day - all the way to 260+
- Swapped the thermostat for a Hypertech 180F, no change
- Swapped the pump, no change - even filled through the top hose, still would not stay below 240.
Repeated the air draining procedure and let sit over night - now its fine!
(Let the car idle 1 minute without cap, heat to 200F, shut, open cap slowly and repeat.)
Could be that I didn't fill properly the first time as I got more fluid in the second time around, but I had seen small puddles from the pump so I figured it was time to swap.
Also, the new GM pump came with a thermostat and the mounting hole was to small for my after market thermostat.
Cheers,
Nimo
- Swapped the thermostat for a Hypertech 180F, no change
- Swapped the pump, no change - even filled through the top hose, still would not stay below 240.
Repeated the air draining procedure and let sit over night - now its fine!
(Let the car idle 1 minute without cap, heat to 200F, shut, open cap slowly and repeat.)
Could be that I didn't fill properly the first time as I got more fluid in the second time around, but I had seen small puddles from the pump so I figured it was time to swap.
Also, the new GM pump came with a thermostat and the mounting hole was to small for my after market thermostat.
Cheers,
Nimo
