Overheating repeatedly

Tiny
TIFF26.TS
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,117 MILES
Okay, I just bought this car listed above se1 v6. The previous owner said it started running hot so she parked it, when I got it and drove it, it didn't get hot immediately but when it did I discovered the water pump was leaking. So I went the next day and got one, I put it on everything same time. So I drove it to town approximately 20 + miles and it ran hot as I got into town it immediately overheated. So I pulled over market discovered the fans were not working. So went and bought a new relay and fix that problem, but it still kept overheating to the point where I was stuck at a gas station for four or five hours ended up buying a new thermostat replacing it, getting a new into the cooling line. I even bought a code reader and it gave the code I was expecting which was for a sensor, but that's not the problem. Every few miles I'm having to stop and turn off the engine and open the bleeder valve and add more coolant and water because it's getting too hot. I know that this particular type of motor does have problems with having airport keys in the cooling v system and I go through the necessary steps to cool it down enough to drive. But why is it doing this even after replacing those parts and bleeding? It I'm stumped and am open for explanation.
Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 AT 9:44 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
When you replaced the water pump, did you confirm that coolant replacement was done with the correct type of coolant? These vehicles came with GM Dex-Cool coolant. It can't be mixed with other types of coolant or it coagulates. Next, have you ever noticed white smoke from the exhaust or is there any evidence of coolant mixing with engine oil? Last, did you flush the cooling system when you did the work?

Take a look through this link that discusses how to check for a bad head gasket. I will tell you that this engine had a history of coolant leaks where the intake manifold and engine block join together. So check for that as well.

Take a look through this link and see if anything mirrors what is happening with your vehicle.

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

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 AT 10:16 PM
Tiny
TIFF26.TS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,122 MILES
I did check the head gaskets they're not blown or cracked, and yes I do use the proper coolant, I also put a code reader on it and my IAT sensor and camshaft sensor have to be replaced.
I have got the feeling it's something simple. I'm thinking that there may be some blockage in the radiator itself, and my reasoning is because last night I took the radiator hoses off and unscrewed the drain plug, when I took the plug out the water came out very slowly, so I stuck a water hose in one of them and u could see the water coming out the other hoses but still barely coming out the drain. Oh and a couple times when the gauge read hot. I pulled over and opened the bleeder and I was able to stick my hand in the water coming out meaning it wasn't really hot. So I'm thinking that water it getting to flow through the block to good. And I know that this particular motor does have issues with air pockets in the cooling line. What is it?
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Monday, June 22nd, 2020 AT 4:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Can you start at the beginning and tell me the exact issue? Is it overheating?

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

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

I read all the post and the first thing that I see is the radiator. If you have very little water coming out the drain, the radiator may be clogged internally.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-radiator-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-radiator

Roy
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Monday, June 22nd, 2020 AT 4:46 PM (Merged)

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