SPONSORED LINKS

Vehicle overheating at idle or if stuck in traffic?

Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 208,000 MILES
Vehicle overheating at idle or if stuck in traffic. I have changed the radiator, thermostat, and sensor. Both fans are working and hoses are fine, but still overheating. What else can I do to fix this problem? Please help.
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 2:41 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Are you sure that the fans are turning on? This is usually why a vehicle overheats in traffic or idling. Please get back to us and we can go from there.

This guide can help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes they are. I hear/see them going even when I stop n turn the car off. Could it be a relay or maybe I got a bad thermostat when I replaced it a couple months ago? Because even while making those changes the overheating issue was still there.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

A bad thermostat would cause your vehicle to overheat all the time, as would a bad water pump or an air pocket that isn't allowing the coolant to flow. Did you change the fans at any point?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
No I haven't changed the fans at all.I recently changed the thermostat.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Well it wouldn't be the first time or the last time that a thermostat was bad right out of the box. I would suggest either replacing the thermostat again or testing it to make sure that it is opening. You can place it in a pan of boiling water. As it reaches the opening temperature, you can actually watch it open up. If it doesn't then it is bad. In the diagrams down below I have included the opening temperatures for your vehicle's thermostat. Please get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay, I will try that. I really hope it's a bad thermostat.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,356 POSTS
This guide should help:

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for the info, it really helped me understand the overheating issues ive been having.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,356 POSTS
Lets try a head gasket test first to see if that is the problem.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Overheat Content

Is Your Engine Cool Enough to Check?
VIDEO
Is Your Engine Cool Enough to Check?
Instructional repair video
Overheating Symptoms
GUIDE
Overheating Symptoms
An overheating engine is never a good thing to have happen. If the problem is caught quickly you can save the headache of a major engine repair. Knowing the information from...
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links