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Overheating?

Tiny
SHANNON M SULLIVAN-HERWEHE
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I changed the thermostat no visible leaks. Filled with new coolant now overflow is low and has dirty looking coolant in it. Have no heat either. Could it be a bad freeze plug? How many plugs does it have and how can I tell if 1 is bad?
Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 9:51 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
If a freeze plug is bad, you will see coolant leaks under the engine, it sounds like the coolant is low still or you have a bad thermostat not opening to allow you to fill the system. When the engine is overheating, can you hear the cooling fans come on? The no heater problem is telling us the coolant is low or the heater core is plugged.

Here are two guides to help you figure out what's going on:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Please go over these guides and report back.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
SHANNON M SULLIVAN-HERWEHE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The fans were kicking on I don't think they are now I started it and let it run for 5 or 10 minutes and it got hot so I turned it off, but the fans did not kick on.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
SHANNON M SULLIVAN-HERWEHE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I have replaced the thermostat but not the gasket. Possibly got a bad thermostat?
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
It is possible you got a defective thermostat also if the thermostat has an air bleed hole it must be at the top. Also, you can start the engine and allow it to warm up with the radiator cap off. Do not allow it to get too hot, then shut the engine off and the heat soak should allow the coolant level to drop once the thermostat opens. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2022 AT 1:20 PM

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