PLEASE Help with overheating problem!!
 

So here is what happens,

As I am driving, the car gets hotter then it should. The temp gage gradually climbs past half way and would continue to climb if i didn't shut it off. It doesn't get that hot right away. For instance, I can drive to the store and back without it getting to hot...even though you can see it climbing. Another thing is that the temp mainly climbs with the RPM's. The higher the RPM, the hotter the car gets. It doesn't get as hot, as quickly, when you are at idle. I have a Meziere water pump that is about a year old. I removed the thermostat today to see if that was the problem, but nothing changed (I also have a 160 deg). I seem to thing there is a restriction problem possibly with the radiator, or the pump is not pumping efficiently for higher RPM's. If anyone has any advice or solutions, Please let me know...this problem is very annoying!! thanks in advance

Zach
95 TA

Very possoble that you have an air pocket in your coolant system. This can cause the symptoms you described. Try a flush and see if the problem goes away.

well before flushing he should try to bleed the system...

Are your fans coming on? If they are try bleeding the system first.

Also check to see if there is something obstructing the air flow into the radiator. Look under the car. Just something else to check.

Thanks guys...I have already flushed and bled the system. I guess I can try to flush it again. I will also look at the radiator for any visible restrictions....

Zach

I had the same problem recently as you, but mine turned out to be a stuck-shut thermostat and a faulty radiator cap (leaking pressure).

Here's a list of the things I was told to check when I posted about my previous over-heating problem:

Best case:
- Air in coolant lines (bleed system)
- Thermostat is faulty (remove it and do the pan-o-boiling water test, or run the car without it)
- Water pump weak or water pump failure (check for circulation with radiator cap off)
- Radiator is not maintaining pressure, replace cap
- Radiator is blocked or clogged (have cleaned/flushed or replace)

Worst case:
- Blown head gasket :eek:

Good luck!

well, I flushed tha car again today (and bled the system) and it didn't help. The fans are coming on and there are no restrictions that i can see. So what should i do next...replace the radiator? or replace the pump? or what? It sucks that I can't drive the car more then a few minutes...thanks alot

Zach

Have you verified the water pump is actually working? When the car is cold, take off the radiator cap and let the car warm up. When the car gets warm enough for the thermostat to open you should see water churning in the radiator. If it's not pumping water once the car has warmed up, then either the pump is faulty or the thermostat isn't opening. If you've removed the thermostat completely, then water should be churning always. If it's not, then it's the pump. If it's not pumping, and with you having an eletric pump, maybe you're pump wiring came loose or something? A blown fuse perhaps? I haven't installed an electric pump, but maybe these are things to check also. :confused:

Thanks, but the thermostat is currently removed and the coolent is constently circulating through the radiator. Also, there are no blown fuses.

Zach

Well, if the fans are coming on then the ECM is seeing the high temp so that rules out a temp sensor, and if water is churning then your pump is working. The last three things I can think of is either your system isn't maintaining pressure (have it pressure checked), the radiator needs a good cleaning (does it look dirty inside?) or you could have a blown head gasket.

Did the car ever pass the 260 mark before you realized it was overheating? I know of an individual whose thermostat failed to open (not me in this case) and he wound up overheating the car (past 260 mark on guage) while driving down the highway. It kept overheating after replacing the thermostat and in the end it turns out that the first overheating incident warped one of his aluminium heads and developed a leaking head gasket which was forcing hot combustion gases into the coolant passages. When the radiator cap is off and the pump is running do you see a fairly constant stream of air bubbles in the water?

Just tossing out ideas... :rolleyes:

Thanks for the ideas bitcypher..

The system seems to be holding pressure, and i just replaced the cap about a year ago. I also replaced the heads and gaskets a year ago. I have always watched the gages carefully and the car has never got into the red zone. I usually shut it off after it gets past half way (210 i think). When I blew a head gasket last time, there were other signs then just overheating. This time, the car is running perfectly, except for the fact that it is getting too hot. Maybe I will have to take the radiator out and have it cleaned. thanks

Zach

No problem dude, I only hope to return the help and direction that so many have given me on this board. Good luck with your detective work... :)