Today, during lunch my temp shot to redline and engine overheated. I had to park it and let it cool just 2 mins. from work. I got it back to work and later I figured maybe it was my oil. I was probably 1000 miles past due on the change so I took it to get one done 3 mins away. No overheating on the way there or back. However, on the way home, it did it again. Only this time, after parking it for a few, it cooled and after driving again, it went up to 240-245 every time I stopped, and then it would go down again to 210. I had my heater all the way up the whole time. Sometimes when I slowed and stopped for a light it wouldn't increase at all, but after I started moving, it would edge up there again.

Does it sound like I have a bad t-stat or what would it be? Car has 67,000k and haven't changed coolant since I got it at 34k.

 

Start with the basics. Look at the coolant level, check for leaks. Check for proper electric fan operation. Check for debris in front of the radiator.

On a side note, next time flip on the a/c. This makes both fans run full time.

 

check for debris. there might be a plastic bag on your radiator. I hope that's all it easy.

 

Oil change place looked at the level and said it was ok. I tried both of the settings, a/c on/off but a/c temp at 80. Didn't change much but did notice it did dip down a bit but don't know if it was due to driving again or not?

 

sounds to me like the fans arent coming on because it only overheats when your stopped and doesnt do it when you have air running over it.

if all else fails and you need to get home, turn the heater on full blast, this will pull the heat off the motor through the exchanger.

if you need help looking at it i can help, i am local but I am also working 7 days a week (16hours a day) for the next few weeks

 

Too bad the oil change didn't fix the problem, that would have been an interesting story.

 

I looked under the car and didn't see any bags in the hole. I was going to take it to NTB today, but decided to drive around a bit and let it overheat before stopping bringing it in. I ran some errands, drove it soft at first, opened it up a little bit and nothing. Temp never went over 196. Drove for about an hour, stop and go and nada. It's also in the 70's today as opposed to 50's last night.

Maybe it was a bag that blew out finally. Dunno.

 

Haha....maybe it was the oil change..

 

Yeah maybe, interesting. Why did it overheat on the way home after the oil change then? Is that common of overheating? I didn't think it would have anything to do with it unless I was completely out of oil. The service guy did say I only had half in there.

 

I missed that....dog gone it. Well, let's hope it doesn't happen again, but unfortunately, it probably will. Just keep an eye on it.

 

Well, it did. Went down 3 miles to the gas station and on the way back a mile away from home it starts overheating. I turn on the a/c and it didn't go down. Turned it to full heat and nothing too. Pulled up to the driveway and I smelt coolant. Sure enough i've got a leak. Popped the hood and the side of my coolant tank towards the motor is wet as well as a couple hoses and other things on that side.

It's gonna have to go in, tomorrow... Should I try to drive it there tomorrow morning? It's about 4 miles away. Or, not even chance it?
I'm afraid to start it again now.

 

Any of you know if it's ok to drive for 3-4 miles?

 

Thats a big risk. If you overheat the engine you could do all sorts of damage - head gaskets, warped head............. you name it

I'd enroll in AAA tomorrow and call them out on Tuesday.

Even with a top up; just not worth the risk IMHO

 

3 or 4 miles should not be a problem if you start out cold. Top off the coolant in the radiator, not the reservoir, while cold. You should then be fine. Watch the temps and keep the AC on to keep the fans blowing.

 

All I'd say is that its a $10k engine change. I'm not for that type of gamble and I lived in Vegas

It may be OK and you should make the service place just fine.................................... ............

 

Ran into the same thing a couple of months ago. Got a flush - still hot. Went o the dealership found out the water pump was about to go on permanent vacation. Had it replaced, 200-205 all day long. Funny thing about the water pump, no leaking or any tell tale signs of giving up. Might want to have it checked. You could always buy a 160, fan switch (turn on sooner) etc., but I think it would be a waste of money. My 2 cents. BTW, I'm a '98 conv auto. Stock with the exception of a K&N and Corse X pipe and pace car cat back.

 

Well, I made it to my nearby NTB that's 3 miles away, only to have the manager tell me he wouldn't work on it because it's been modded. I had to have it towed to another NTB 15 miles away that has worked on it before and my friend's the manager there too. I can't believe he refused me service. That was so bull****! $150 tow bill for this jackass that wouldn't accept me as a paying customer.

When they finally checked it out at the other shop. The guy told me they think it's the thermostat not opening because the hose going out to the radiator wasn't getting hot. I gave the ok to have it replaced.
$60 t-stat
$14.99 Coolant
$9.99 pellets (needed for something?)
Hour labor
Total he told me: $197? How does this work?

Come to find out, that's not it. Temp on dash is still reading 250 and they have to check it more in the morning. Guy said maybe a temp sensor and his tech coming in tomorrow will have a scan tool. I said ok and let me know. Now that I think about it, why didn't they do this in the first place instead of making me pay for something I didn't need? Can I refuse this?

So, now i'm out at least $350. I can get a $75 tow reimbursement from my insurance making it only $275, but no telling what they "find" or "think" tomorrow.

 

Did you have any problem overheating driving it to the first place? I though you said it had something leaking? Not leaking anymore?

 

Yeah, it overheated a quarter mile from the shop and stayed hot till I got there. Don't know if it was still leaking, but I didn't smell anything when I got out of the car. Didn't notice anything when I pulled out of parking to drive up the tow truck either.

 

EMINENT - just a couple thoughts. Engine overheating is a serious issue; not typically caused by something simple like a late oil change or plastic bags in the radiator. No offense, but it sounds like you may not be mechanically inclined - get it to a trusted mechanic! You can do serious damage with an overheat situation - several thousand $$$$ in needed parts and labor. Don't mess around with this!

Just like with your health and your Dr, you should have a mechanic that you can take your car to and TRUST. Best of luck to you.

Gordon