2005 Chevrolet Cavalier engine running hot

JSPARK10

MEMBER
2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
68,000 MILES

When I drive my car more than 15 minutes it runs hot. Water level is good. I checked the fan after turning off car and it was running. Not sure while running. When I speed up it went back down to 195. Once I smelled something burning but nothing gurgling under the hood. No steam. Since no smell smoke or anything. No lights have came on dash. It is humid in Fla but once it went over 200. Any suggestions?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Is 200 degrees F the hottest it ever got? I ask because the OEM thermostat doesn't fully open until it reaches 195 degrees F. Basically, 200 isn't a concern.

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Friday, October 3rd, 2014 AT 10:48 AM

JSPARK10

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes the hottest it got (once) was almost three quarters on the gauge.

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Friday, October 3rd, 2014 AT 3:36 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

As I mentioned, 200 isn't too much to worry about considering that is the average temp an engine will run. However, are you certain the cooling fans are turning on when you are going slow or stop and go traffic? To be honest, at highway speeds, there is enough air flow through the radiator to maintain the engine temp. It is at slow speeds or stopped when the air flow is lost and the cooling fans need to take over. Confirm they are working. If they are, check for the following:

Is there white smoke from the exhaust

Is there any evidence that coolant is mixing with the engine oil or oil with the coolant

Are there any leaks you can find?

Let me know. None of the above items I listed are an issue, the fans are working, the thermostat is new, and the coolant is clean and full, I think we will need to flush the radiator and engine block.

Let me know.

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Friday, October 3rd, 2014 AT 5:26 PM

JSPARK10

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No I haven't checked the thermostat yet because it involves a lot of money for labor because of having to remove the exhaust. Thank u for addressing this with me. So I'm assuming you feel if the temp doesn't go past 200 except maybe once in a while, and there are no warning lights on the dash, I should be good? I let it idle earlier for about 30 minutes and the fan worked, drove it around the block and the fan worked. Maybe im over reacting and at what temp should I worry? And yes I will still flush it anyway.

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Friday, October 3rd, 2014 AT 8:09 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

You're like me. I worry about things too. However, if it is only going to 200, that isn't a concern. As I mentioned, the OEM thermostat isn't designed to fully open until 195. If you told me it was reaching 225+. Then I would be concerned. By the way, you don't have to remove the exhaust.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe