2003 Pontiac Grand Am engine still running hot, no visible

N5SAMURAI

MEMBER
2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
97,000 MILES

3.4L v6 ram air, i'm stuck.A week ago my engine starting squeeking. Lot of rain in n. Texas last few weeks, thought water got on belt. Thought water pump, car started running hotter than normal, then started losing coolant. Only one time did temp get up to around 210-215 and I parked it and let cool. (3hrs) checked reservoir and had to top off. Noticed neither hose on front side of engine connecting to radiator (1 from reservoir, the other to water pump) had water running through it. I'm now thinking thermostat, but the car isn't getting past 200-205 at most. 200 straight up is where it has been last few days. Now there is no fluid leaking. So I check the oil, and it looks good. Been reading a lot of these threads and trying/checking things. So 1. Could thermostat stick close WITHOUT car overheating?(Surely not, right?) 2. Where is the thermostat? 3. I've read people bleeding their cooling system, how do I do that?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

First, the thermostat (t-stat) isn't to open until it reaches 195 degrees. Therefore, you are really not too much above that. If the t-stat sticks shut, you will boil over as you mentioned. If the heater in the car is still producing heat, there is no air in the system. Also, you mentioned that there was a leak. Can you describe the aprox area it was coming from for me. Also, if you follow the upper radiator hose to the engine, it will lead you to the t-stat housing. THe t-stat is under that. If you want to remove it and check it, here is a how to:

https://www.2carpros.com/dia/test_thermostat.htm

LEt me know where the coolant was coming from. Something tells me the water pump was leaking, getting coolant on the belt and causing the noise. Also, the t-stat may be the problem with the temp or the cooling system may need flushed too. If neither was done over the years, it is actually a good idea as a preventative maintenance service.

Let me know.

Joe

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Monday, September 21st, 2009 AT 10:25 PM

N5SAMURAI

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Leak was coming from passenger side towards the front. Couldn't find any obvious leaks around the water pump. Did find some spray on the hoses, but went back to the water from the road idea. I'm still keeping my eye on it. Have not had to add coolant in a few days.
To flush, do I just pull drain plug and refill?

Thanks for the help!

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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 AT 9:58 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Chances are the it is the water pump going bad. As far as a flush, they make products to do it. You can get it at any parts store. Just follow the directions on the bottle.

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Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 AT 6:39 AM