Keeps over heating when we drive over 10 miles

Tiny
MJREUTER18
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 100,000 MILES
My car keeps over heating when we drive over 10 miles. Also the air conditioner just stopped working. I don't know what the issue could be. We had to change to the light bulb and disconnected the fan by accident. The fans were reconnected and it didn't over heat for a week. It was also serviced about two weeks ago and they said it is a great looking high mileage vehicle.
Friday, June 21st, 2013 AT 5:38 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,280 POSTS
Does the cooling fans come on when its over heating? What could have happened is when the cooling fans where disconnected the first time and the engine was overheated it could have blown a head gasket.

Here is a guide to confirm the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

and

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

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
MJREUTER18
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes the cooling fan comes on when it is overheating. I will order a head gasket kit from amazon.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,280 POSTS
I thought it could be the thermostat, have you tried replacing it ?

Here is a guide to hep you see what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

The air conditioner will not work when the engine is over heating BTW.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
MJREUTER18
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I changed the thermostat and my car did not overheat for two days. I kept air conditioner on and it worked great and drove it almost 100 miles and the temp gage stayed below half the whole time. Today my wife drove it 2 miles and it is over heating again.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,280 POSTS
Sounds like the problem is intermitted, has the engine been checked for a blown head gasket? chemical check the radiator to see if exhaust gasses are present and let me know.

Check this video out

https://youtu.be/5zpNjYmmiYY
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
MJREUTER18
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I just topped the coolant off bc it was a little low and drove it for about 10 min. When I would stop at a light and idle the air conditioner would get warmer and then cool down again when I drove. Then when I got home I let it idle in tje drive for a minute and the engine started to climb in temp. I dont smell anything burning and we just had a 100000 mile service done and they said everything looked great.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,280 POSTS
They would not have checked for a blown head gasket in the service. Please check and get back to me.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
MJREUTER18
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
You where right I did the test and the head gasket is blown thanks for your help. I love this site :)
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,280 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:04 PM

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