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Car over heating after changing thermostat

Tiny
APEMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 BUICK RIVIERA
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,000 MILES
I changed my thermostat only to find out that the radiator hose from the bottom. Of the. Radiator leading to the engine had popped off. I secured the hose, but the vehicle is still overheating. What can I do?
Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 6:42 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You could have a couple different issues now. You may still have air pockets in the system that haven't burped yet or you may have gotten it too hot during the initial failure and now you have a blown head gasket or cracked head. Aluminum is very unforgiving to temperature
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 6:57 AM
Tiny
APEMAN85
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  • 7 POSTS
I've had a cracked and blown head gasket before and I'm not seeing the same symptoms, however it doesn't seem that the coolant is flowing through the system because the hose leading to the thermostat is very easily squeezed.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 7:03 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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That hose is coming from the thermostat, not to it and being soft doesn't mean much of anything. You need to positively be sure all the air is out of the system. We use a vacuum fill method to accomplish that.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 7:07 AM
Tiny
APEMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I was told to fill the coolant reservoir, let it idle until regular running temp, shut it off and let it cool, then refill it. I've had numerous engine problems with including having the wiring harness replaced. Every time is reaches normal running temp it dies. Usually starts back up though. Paid $700 for it and have put $1400 in it not including what I paid for it.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
That works on some cars, not all.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 8:30 AM
Tiny
APEMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I understand. I just can't afford another trip to the mechanic. There's no smoke from tail pipe thankfully. I haven't seen smoke from the engine either like yesterday.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Get it up to operating temp and then take it for a quick ride. Bring it home and shut it off until completely cold (hours) and top of coolant. Repeat until it doesn't take any more fluid.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 8:35 AM
Tiny
APEMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Will do, thank you for your help! If it does start to overheat, what should I do?
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 8:38 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Head to the repair shop for testing. It's probably something serious.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
APEMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Tries what you said and had smoke coming from here.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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No picture shows up. Might have been too big.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 1:18 PM
Tiny
APEMAN85
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Pretty sure it's the engine block.
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Friday, November 20th, 2015 AT 1:22 PM

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