Overheating Issue.

TIM4011

MEMBER
1995 SATURN SL1
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
199,850 MILES

I recently bought a 1995 Saturn SL1 1.9L SOHC from a friend. They told me it had an overheating problem, which I diagnosed as a simple fix. So here's what i've done. I recently replaced both the thermostat and water pump, checked all hoses for cracks or leaks, and checked the radiator for cracks and leaks and have found none. Yet if I drive the car for more then 15-20 mins at a time, or if I press on the gas to get her moving it starts overheating. Why? And what should I look for next?
Also as a side note if this helps, when I first turn on the car and go there is a LOUD squealing noise coming from under the hood, which stops after I've driven a couple miles. I dont know if that has anything to do with the over heating problem, but what could that be?

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

The loud squeling is probably the belt slipping because a weak belt tenisor and the belt is slipping. As far the car overheating how high does the temp gauge get when it overheats?Also is the radiator fan. On when it overheats?Does the a/c work if so when you turn the a/c on does the radiator fan come on?

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 11:40 AM

TIM4011

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3 POSTS

I thought the belt squeak was probably the tensioner pulley, I was just making sure. The a/c I am not sure of. It doesnt work as of now, but im not sure if if just needs recharged, or if it doesnt work at all. The radiator fan turns on when the car turns on, but I haven't checked if it turns on when it over heats. It never gets completely in the red, but close enought that I couldnt imagine it being good for the engine. Nor should it get that close especially after replacing both the thermostat and water pump

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 5:46 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

The radiator fan shouldnt be on when you turn the engine on especailly when the engine is cold. The radaitor fan doesnt turn on till atleast 3/4 on the temp and on some of those cars not till the tip of the red depending on how good the gauge sending unit is and the gauge itself.I would replace the coolant temp sensor its the bottom sensor with two wires going to it a black wire and yellow wire. Also inspect the connector going to the sensor if the terminals are blue or green then its corroded and the connector will have to be replaced. Also inspect the wires going to the connector. You might as well replace the temp gauge sender also its the top sensor with a single green wire going to it. Dont mix the sensors when putting the new ones in. There only 10 a piece let me know what you find also the bottom coolant temp sensor see if the plastic tip on it is cracked the end that goes into the head. If you follow the upper radiator hose back to the head those sensors are screwed into thr head bellow where the upper hose goes on.

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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 6:20 PM

TIM4011

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Alright I will check those out and let you know. Last night I made a trip to walmart (approx. 1 mile from my house) and on my way back I started hearing a ticking sound coming from under the hood that got faster as the rpms got higher. I've thrown a rod in an engine before but this wasnt nearly as loud. Could this be the start of a rod going bad?

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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 AT 1:45 PM

SATURNTECH9