Why is my engine overheating?

Tiny
DKRONEMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Removed thermostat and checked by putting in boiling water to see if it would open. It didn't. Bought a new thermostat and checked it the same way before installing. It did not open either but I went ahead and installed it. Is it suppose to open? The car is still overheating. Thought it had an airlock so I bled the line. Any suggestions?
Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 6:45 PM

62 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you have white smoke coming out of the tailpipe? Check and test the water pump and check the radiator for clogging. Let check out these guides to help us fix the problem.

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

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
DKRONEMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No white smoke coming out of tailpipe
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Remove the thermostat run it without it is it still overheating if not replace the thermostat again-
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
DKRONEMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you.
Is the thermostat suppose to open if you immerse it in boiling water?
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It suppose to if not its no good
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
DKRONEMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you!
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Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
DKRONEMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
2001 Chevy Malibu. Overheating. Replaced thermostat, water pump, heat sensor, Radiator clear now heater blows cold air and still overheating
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 AT 11:51 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be air in the cooling system try bleeding it out don't work get it block and pressure tested.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
JOSE55P
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 150,000 MILES
If I put water and not anti freeze cause it is throwing it out any way when I get to my location water spills out and fans are not working what does what does that indicate?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Use a cooling system pressure tester and pressure test the radiator and the radiator cap-start here
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSE55P
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
How do I go about doing that
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
What does that indicate-Could be a blown headgasket, cracked head or block-bring it in to a shop and have it checked
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSE55P
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Ok, will it run 100% after that? So is that why my heater doesnt work?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be if the thermostat is stuck closed
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSE55P
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Ok thanks we will look into it. Appreciate your help. Will go into battle with it! Thanks
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAMM90
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Engine Cooling problem
2001 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I have an '01 malibu, I've had the intake manifold gasket, thermostat and the temp. Sensor replaced but it is still getting hot and seems to be losing fluid without any signs of leaking (stains on driveway.) It has been about 3 months since a new thermostat was installed and it went up to 260+ with the red warning light coming on, I pulled the hood latch button from inside the car and continued home (about 3 blocks, ) by the time I pulled into my driveway the temp. Started dropping almost as fast as it went up. I let it sit for a couple days and attempted to drive it again (hoping it was a fluke, ) and it began to get hot again. What do I look into now? Thank you for your time.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Pressure check the cooling system. Also did you make sure the you completely bleed the cooling system of all the air
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAMM90
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The work was completed at a shop by certified mechanics, I can't say with 100% certainty, but I would imagine they did. The parts were replaced about 6months ago, and a second 'stat was installed about 2-3 months ago. Now it's getting hot again, I'm at a loss and the shops are crazy expensive ($275 just to replace the last 'stat.)
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
With the temp going up and down it sounds like there is air in the system from a leak or something. Go to auto zone or somewhere like that and see if they rent pressure testers for the cooling system, pressure up the system to 14-16 psi and watch for either the gauge to drop aand watch for a leak.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JETSA
  • MEMBER
  • 117 POSTS
Before any damage is done, you might want to check the oil level and see if it is too high and/or has a chocolate milk looking oil on it. Also pull the plug where you install oil in the engine doing an oil change. Look for the same chocolate milk looking substance on the cap and look down in the valve cover where the rocker arms are for the same substance. Any signs of this indicates the coolant is leaking internally in the engine, probably due to the intake leaking internally (even though it was recently done).
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)

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