2002 Pontiac Grand Am overheating

DDSMALL

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

2 weeks ago the low coolant would flash on at different times. I would check the reservoir and add water if needed. This happened a couple of times, but no water was found leaking anywhere. A week ago a mile from home it did overheat according to the dash gauge. Water was added to the reservoir and did not "overheat" for 2 days. We changed the plugs and wires as the service engine light was coming on and the motor was running roughly. After chaning the plugs and wires, was taken for a test drive and overheated 2 miles away. Still no water found leaking anywhere. Is this a cracked head or something else possibly?

1 Reply

MOPARNUT1393

MEMBER
34 POSTS

What engine does the car have? 3100, 3800, 3400?
All three of these engines are known to have intake gaskets that leak either out ontop of the intake and the it evaporates on top of the intake or it goes into the oil.
First check your oil. If it is white and milky you have water going into your oil. At that point you either have a bad head gasket or a bad intake.
Next you need to check around the top of the intake and look for any wet spots or white spots this is a sign of leaking coolant on top the intake then you will have to replace the intake gaskets. If you do not see any wet spots on top and you have a milky lookign oil do not drive car! Either take to a shop and have the heads inspected if you do not take it to a shop start by taking the intake and plennom off and look at those gaskets if you see a bad spot replace and reclose the engine. If you do not see bad spots in the intake gaskets then proceed to taking heads off. It is best to have a mechanic look at it first to make shure you do not have a bad head gasket he can run some tests to find out where the coolant is going before you take the time and money of tearing into it that far.