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Overheating problem

Tiny
MVS
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MITSUBISHI GALANT
Engine Cooling problem 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 61,000 miles

About 1 month ago, I had the timing belt replaced on my 2000 Mitsubishi Galant, as recommended by the manufacturer. The car seemed to be revving high, and after 2 trips back to the mechanic, things seemed normal. Two weeks have passed, and now the car is running very hot (temp. Gauge is very close to being in the red zone). The car was brought back in and the thermostat was changed and the radiator was flushed. The car was taken on the turnpike today and once again, the temperature was climbing near the red.

Water pump wasn't replaced with the timing belt.

The car was checked again by the mechanic over the weekend, and they say everything is fine. They had it out on the highway, and nothing happened, but they didn't ride it long enough. Today, the car was driven on the highway and it was nearing red after 1 hour of driving.


HELP! I feel like a pest bringing the car back again.
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Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 AT 9:21 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi mvs,

Here are some guide to help you fix the problem

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

If the car has a problem bringing it back is not being a pest.

When does the overheating starts? High speed? City driving?

Are the fans working?

Is there any coolant leakage?

Is coolant level in radiator full?

When the gauge is showing hot, are the fans working full time or they start and stop?

What did you do and how long did it take for the temp reading to go down?

Does the high temp occurs only at high speed driving?
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Saturday, July 5th, 2008 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
MVS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks KHLow. Not sure about the fans working full time or start/stop when it runs hot. I'll have to pay attention.

As soon as it started nearing the red, I shut off the AC and put the heat on full blast. It took approximately 10 mins for the temp needle to start going back down to where it should be. But even with the heat on the needle wasn't at the "normal" position. While it was better and away from the red, it was still running where I would consider it hotter than normal/usual.

Yes - the gauge seems to only creep toward the red when high speed driving. I can drive it around the city for awhile and it will remain pretty much normal. But 10-15 mins of driving on the highway at 75 mph and the needle quickly starts to rise. This never used to happen prior to having the timing belt changed.

Thanks again in advance for your help/suggestions.
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Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi mvs,

If the overheating occurs only at high speed driving, the cooling system is inefficient, you need to check for,

1. Clogged radiator, hoses and passageway.

2. Thermostat unable to open fully.

3. Weak water pump or loose belting. Was water pump replaced same time as timing belt?

4. Radiator coolant level.
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Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 AT 12:35 AM
Tiny
MVS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi KHLow2008,

The water pump wasn't replaced when they changed the timing belt.

I dropped the car off at the Mitsubishi dealer, so hopefully they'll solve the problem and I can drive it on the highway.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I'll let you know what the outcome is!
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Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
SK4T0
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi mvs

I owe a Mitsubishi Galant 2000 myself and I have the same problem in my car when driving not only in high speeds but in street get the temperature needle almost in the red zone. Turn the heather at full speed used to help, not any more. The radiator is full of antifreeze same as the back up container. Changed the Thermostat but the car keeps overheating. Did you find the answer? What was it? Is you car fix now?

Thank you.
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Monday, January 10th, 2011 AT 2:08 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check the cooling fans for proper operations.
DO you have coolant losses issues?
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Monday, January 10th, 2011 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
SK4T0
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes I found out like 3 days ago that my car is trowing antifreeze but I don't know from were when I drive on street I have not problems but in the freeway gets overheated and needs more antifreeze but it leave no marks when the car is stopped is not liking.
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 AT 5:24 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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When leaks are minimal, coolant would not leak onto the ground and you would need a pressure test to locate the source. If no leakeages are found in engine compartment, check the cabin, coolant could be leaking from the heater core.

When coolant is depleting, there must be a leak somewhere. Is the recovery tank depleting as well?

Was any repairs done prior to this occurring?
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
SK4T0
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The recovery tank is low but not empty I don't have the time or the chance to check for leaks due to the bad weather (winter storm)but yeah I have to do the pressure test and the leak isn't that minimal any more I just put a full bottle of antifreeze today.
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Thursday, January 13th, 2011 AT 5:59 AM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I have a 2000 Galant ES- I replaced the radiator, thermostat, water pump and timing belts and hoses all new in the last year. Last year it began doing what you guys are saying just barely got over the half way point between cold and hot now it is 3/4 I have to turn the heater on and in this heat I cannot use the AC. Someone mentioned it could be the head casket? I love my car, 165,000. It also began running a little more rough. HELP PLEASE
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Thursday, July 28th, 2011 AT 11:08 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Not the head gasket if you are losing coolant from the recovery tank.

Did you check the coolant level?
Are both cooling fans working?
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Saturday, July 30th, 2011 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Im losing coolant. Fans? I dont hear the fan like I did before. I would pull into a drive through and it would run and shut off. How can I check for use if it is working and where is this fan located?
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Sunday, July 31st, 2011 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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The fans are atttached to the radiator.

They should come on when the A/C is turned on, both of them.
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Sunday, July 31st, 2011 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Ill check this out. TY
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Sunday, July 31st, 2011 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
WOW found out the clamps on one of the new hoses wasn't tight causing a small leak. The recovery tank was bone dry. Tightened the hoses and filled the tank. Drove the car around and let it sit in the driveway started ---I live in Nebraska, it is 105 today AND WOO-HOO my Galant remained cool FINALLY! You guys rock!
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Sunday, July 31st, 2011 AT 10:16 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Glad to know you have fixd the problem.

Have a nice day.
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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
REGRETTFULLY it isnt drove home from work in the hat of day and it went back up. Im so lost on what to do now. MOst likely take it to a mechanic
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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 11:20 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
When engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level. If it is low, refill it and start engine without the cap, run for 3 to 5 minutes and top up coolant if necessary.

This is to bleed the system of air if any is trapped.

Close radiator cap and run engine till operating temperature and wait for it to cool to check the coolant level again. Top up and close cap.

Ensure the cooling fans are working when temperature exceeds the normal point on gauge.

Lets hope you have not damaged the head gasket.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I hope not. The body is a gem but that I could not afford to repair.
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
LEIGHBLAUVELT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I took off the cap. It was full I turned on the car and let it run. It was still full I put the cap back on and let it run. With the heat as it is I didnt stay out there very lone.

How can I be sure it is the head gasket. I kept hearing a fan turn off when I turned the ac on but I cant see it?
.
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 AT 12:16 AM

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