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How do I stop my car from overheating?

Tiny
CEARIARAMON
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My mechanic changed the water pump and hoses. I changed the thermostat and got a new radiator cap. My mechanic did a pressure test on my radiator and said it was fine. We did a radiator flush. My temperature gauge just slowly creeps up to the overheating point. I don’t know what else to do.
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Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 AT 4:44 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
CEARIARAMON
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have no leaks or drips anywhere I can see.
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Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I watched the video. Does this happen when the engine is off? If you turn the key on when the engine is cold, does it do the same thing? If so, it sounds like an issue within the coolant temperature sensor.

Does the coolant ever boil over? Has the vehicle been checked for cylinder head gasket issues? Does this happen if you are driving at highway speeds or just driving in town? Have you confirmed the cooling fan is turning on?

Let me know. Also, take a look through this link that explains what to look for with a bad head gasket:

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

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
CEARIARAMON
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I haven’t turned it on since making the first video last night and here is what it does: Once I turn the car off, I can hear the coolant bubbling, but nothing ever spills out or overflows. I don’t believe it’s been checked for gasket issues but looking at the link I don’t have any of those issues. It gets hotter faster when I’m on the highway but driving through town it slowly creeps up. And the cooling fan doesn’t come on when first starting or after running it for a couple of minutes, but they do come on when I turn the A/C on.
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Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
I want you to try something. When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and start the engine. Let me know if coolant comes out when it is running and still cool.

If it doesn't, allow it to run for a bit. Check to see if there are air bubbles in the coolant.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
CEARIARAMON
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  • 6 POSTS
Yeah, coolant out with the cap off.
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Thursday, September 1st, 2022 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If that happened cold and it shot out, we likely have a head gasket issue. If the coolant stops coming out, allow it to run and see if there are any bubbles in the coolant before it gets too hot. See pic below

Joe
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Thursday, September 1st, 2022 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
CEARIARAMON
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Okay, but does it matter if it looks like the picture? Because my just spilled out as if was overfilling, not necessarily bubbles.
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Friday, September 2nd, 2022 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If there is a leak, usually it will look like the pic. When you started it, how quickly and aggressively did it come out? I have actually seen the shoot out like a fountain. LOL

Let me know. Also, you may need to perform a test to determine if there are exhaust gases in the coolant. This is really easy to do, and the product can be found in nearly any parts store. If you look at the link, I attached above related to a faulty head gasket, drop down to test 4, chemical test.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, September 2nd, 2022 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
CEARIARAMON
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It started coming up around the 7-minute mark. And it wasn’t some big explosion, just overflowing but I’ll look into the test.
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Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

Okay, that may not be the issue, but I would still check it and test for exhaust gases in the coolant.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 AT 10:56 PM

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