2001 Chevy Venture

SHARITYMM

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

I am need to know what is going on with my van I am not getting great heat out of it. The temperature gauge in the van though is runnning all over crazy. The heat that does come out is very luke warm or just plain cold. This happen about three months ago the temperature gauge went all over crazy and I pulled over becuz I thought is wa going to over heat. But it just stop and and has been fine for about 3 months now. I took it into a mechanic and they are telling me that it is a head gasket that is leaking and causing my temperature to go all over crazy. But I have no engine lights on in the car and no leaks and the moor sounds fine. Does not make sense! So, could someone please help me? I am going crazy and don't like being taken advantage of by these money crazy auto service centers. Thanks Have a blessed day everyone!

1 Reply

ED ARMES

MECHANIC
129 POSTS

If you had a bad head gasket it could be leaking internally and not show up on the outside of the motor. You would also be refilling the coolant resivoir and the engine would smell hot.

If the thermostat was sticking open you would not have as warm of coolant until you were running in traffic or at idle because the air was not blowing through the radiator as fast allowing the engine to heat up more. This roller coaster stop and go driving would also cause the temperature gage to rise and fall accordingly.

If the thermostat became unstuck on its own, the problem would go away.

A bad head gasket only gets worse and never ever goes away by itself.