Overheating

Tiny
BRAD MASTER
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  • 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
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01 pontiac sunfire 2.2 overheats out overflow tank lower radiator hose cold has good heat
Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 1:09 AM

29 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So your lower radiator hose is cold and your upper one is hot?

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 1:34 AM
Tiny
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T/stat?
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Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 1:40 AM
Tiny
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Yes lower cold upper hot
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Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 1:41 AM
Tiny
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Radiator is new 1 year ago
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Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 1:45 AM
Tiny
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Saturntech9 u there?
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Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 2:11 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If your engine is all warmed up and your lower hose is cold and the upper hose is hot the first thing I would check is if your thermostat is opening up. Just to let you know the way it work's is when you post a response to me I get a email to let me know you responded to this question. Then I get back to you as soon as I can we answer thousands of question's each month so response time's varies. Please let me know what you find.
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Sunday, February 27th, 2011 AT 5:37 AM
Tiny
RCM1986
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The car over heats and leaks anitfreeze I belive it comes out of the over flow somebody told me they think its the head gasket but I keep checking the oil and theirs no water in their it seems to me that the car gets hot and the bottle over pressuerize and starts to buble out the over flow I change the thermostate last winter and had a hard time getting the anitfreeze to recirculate threw the motor I had to take a blow gun to the over flow bottle to get the antifreeze to flow that was after I ran it for a while with the heat fully cranked trying to burp the system I was thinking of putting a new radiator and changing the front colliant rail cause it apperas to be starting to rot and maybe even changing to colliant tank what do you guys think I hate to junk this car cause it still runs fine other wise but I dont have the time to do a head gasket and dont want to pay some one else to do it
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
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First make sure that your coolant is exiting through your overflow tank before thinking its a headgasket.

I would do a simple coolant pressure test first and see if it's a water pump or a hose or something that is a simple fix.

Is this a 2.2 or 2.4?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LLRED
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What all do I need for my pontiac sunfire 2001, 2.2 engine when it jumps timing and the valves bent?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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IF you have bent valves, the head needs removed, the valves need replaced, all gaskets, and the cylinder head needs checked for damage. Also, make sure there was no damage done to the pistons.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FAIFIE5
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The car overheated on the highway. Coolant in the tank was low, filled it up, but still overheated. Changed thermostat, and checked fan operation. After changing thermostat, added coolant, it seemed to cycle, as had heat in the car, but all the coolant in the tank is gone again, and dont see any leaks/fluid except when it first overheated.

Would I have lost that much fluid when it first overheated. I have added 1-1/2 gallons more of anti-freeze and don't know if I just need to add more, or if there is a different propblem.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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Fill the coolant tank up. If it is not leaking and you continue to lose coolant, then it is burning it.

A compression test would be first, if OK, then a cooling system pressure test would be next step.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MEDIC4740
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I just had a brand new head gasket done to my car and I have plenty of water in my radiator but yet my car still over heats can someone please tell me why
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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Perform a compression test to see if headgaskets are still leaking, if not, then waterpump, gauge sender, blockage in cooling system.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DSON3016
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  • 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
Engine Cooling problem
2001 Pontiac Sunfire 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive

I just replaced the thermostat and added coolant now the car is running hot and it seems like the water pump is not allowing the coolant in the block. Is there a bleeder valve on the engine block to allow the water to flow through
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
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You may have an air pocket, also are you sure you didnt put the thermostat upside down? It happens, not saying your stupid or anything, but it happens.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JENLAFATA
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My car overheated last night, after checking it this morning, I noticed that water doesn't seem to be getting to the right side of the engine. There is no water leaking, but the hose coming from the radiator to the engine on the right side, by the battery stayed cooled, while the hoses on the other side got warm. Could this be the thermostat?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:
I would start with the thermostat. It sounds like it is not opening.

Let me know if this helps.
Joe
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JENLAFATA
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I took it all the way out, and it helped completely! The car seems to run better with it out then it ever did with it in, but I will be putting in a new one. Thanks! One more thing it keeps doing. At first all of the cluster lights were coming on, everything, including ABS, I mean all of them, and at the same time, all of the gages drop to nothing. This only happens while the car is in gear. I changed the negative battery post, and that seemed to help, except now, the service engine and theft system light stays on. They both come on about 10 min after the car is on, and only when its in gear. Could this be a fuse? Electrical?

Thanks!
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:
First, it sounds like you had a bad t-stat. With it out, you most likely will not get good heat, so like you said, it will need replaced. As far as the gauges, if the check engine light is on, have the computer scanned at a nationally recognized parts store. Most will do it for free, and it may direct us. The gauges could be from a ground problem, so in addition to the neg batt terminal, look for damaged or broken ground straps. If nothing is found, you may need to have the body control module tested.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:07 PM (Merged)

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