Overheating

Tiny
EASILVE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK
  • 139,000 MILES
We put coolant in it as it was low and it is still doing it. Maybe we need more or is there something else we can try? The temperature gauge moves from the bottom to the top in a matter of ten minutes. I am wondering if we also need water in the pump if that could also be an issue or something to check? I also read that we need to replace the cabin air filter too.
Thursday, July 25th, 2013 AT 10:35 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
The water pump sits in the coolant. You do not add anything to it. There are a lot of reasons for overheating but if the coolant level goes down, that suggests a cylinder head gasket is leaking. White smoke from the tail pipe is one clue. Your mechanic can also do a chemical test at the radiator or reservoir to verify that. A properly running engine with no leaking head gasket can not overheat in just ten minutes. If air leaks into the cooling system from a leaking head gasket, it can pool under the thermostat. That air will prevent the thermostat from opening since they open in response to hot liquid, not hot air. The clue would be when you see the temperature gauge on the dash go up to "hot", the radiator hoses will still be cold. That could cause it to overheat that quickly.

There could also be an air pocket simply because the coolant level went low over a long period of time. Once you filled the system that air may need to be bled out so the coolant will go up to the thermostat. I do not know which engine you have so you will have to look if there is a bleeder screw on the thermostat housing or if there is a threaded plug or sensor on or near that housing that can be unscrewed to bleed the air out.
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Saturday, July 27th, 2013 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
ERICKKWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I would say start by changing the thermostat they are cheap. Then drain you coolant see if it is dirty or needs to be flushed could possibly be a clogged radiator. If that does not fix it have a compression test done it could be a blown head gasket.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2015 AT 6:22 AM

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