What does it mean when your car is overheating?
February 2nd, 2009 | by admin |
BuddhaDragon asked:
We have a 1996 GMC Jimmy SLT and it has had it’s proper maintenance before we bought it from my brother. However, now we’re having an issue when the car accelerates because the temperature goes beyond 210 on the gauge. We have not allowed it to go any further than that for fear of really damaging the car but we’ve had to pull over almost every two city blocks and stop the car to let it cool down. We’ve tried coolant which there is plenty of inside the car now. What else could it be? Would it cost a lot to repair?
CHAD
We have a 1996 GMC Jimmy SLT and it has had it’s proper maintenance before we bought it from my brother. However, now we’re having an issue when the car accelerates because the temperature goes beyond 210 on the gauge. We have not allowed it to go any further than that for fear of really damaging the car but we’ve had to pull over almost every two city blocks and stop the car to let it cool down. We’ve tried coolant which there is plenty of inside the car now. What else could it be? Would it cost a lot to repair?
CHAD
6 Responses to “What does it mean when your car is overheating?”
By Brad G on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Either the fan clutch is not working or the radiator is plugged and not allowing enough flow to cool the water. EITHER way you will want to change the thermostat because it is sensitive to heat (thats what makes it work) and will be damaged by too much heat!!
By Mr. T on Feb 5, 2009 | Reply
Could be a number of things:
1. Radiator Corroded
2. Radiator fins plugged with bugs or dirt
3. Thermostat stuck closed
4. Leaky head gasket(s)
5. Clutch on fan is inoperable
6. Belt worn or missing
7. Water pump faulty
8. Radiator hose colapsed
»»»
By robb on Feb 6, 2009 | Reply
you need to see if its leaking first. when it gets hot.. about to over heat.. look under the car and see if its leaking coolant. the cooling system cant cool if its not pressurized. next thing id do is replace the thermostat since its cheap and easy. if it isnt opening then coolant cant cool anything.
By andy h. on Feb 7, 2009 | Reply
could be several things. like a blockage in the coolant system, a thermostat sticking shut or even your water pump is malfunctioning. first thing I’d do is check to see if there’s any coolant leakage on the ground. next, I’d check to see if the fan is “kicking on” when it’s supposed to. (like when it reaches around 198 degrees or so).if nothing yet, I’d check to see if the water pump is “weeping” (there’s a tiny little hole under the pulley, when coolant starts to come out of it, it’s an indicator that your pumps going/is bad).if still nothing, run it until it’s hot and check the radiator to see if any “cold” spots are there. if there is, the coolant isn’t flowing properly. then I’d change out the thermostat and have the cooling system flushed. if there’s been straight water in the system, might have a buildup of deposits in the radiator. hope this helps.
By AUL V on Feb 10, 2009 | Reply
This is a long shot answer.Check bottom radiator hose,if hose is soft it can collaspe and cut off water flow . There use to be a wire inside that would corrode away. Have someone
raise the RPMs and watch bottom hose for any signs of squeezing together.The first answers are good ones too.
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By shootthemonkey007@sbcglobal.net on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
I own a 87 gmc pickup that was doing the same thing.did all the tests on the cooling system and found nothing wrong but a clogged a/c condenser,causing restriction of air flow thru radiator.My temp gauge was going from 195 to 270 while driving and would stay at195 while idling.I could drive for about ten miles before this would happen. a/c system never worked so I removed condenser and now engine runs at thermostat temp, 195 degrees.no more over heating problem.Who needs air conditioning.Have a garage evacuate a/c system and remove condenser,that is if you can live without the a/c if not have the garage remove condenser from vehicle and clean out air fins.this will cost a couple hundred to fix.if this doesn’t cure problem,a flex fan can be installed but can cause a slight drop in fuel mileage and are somewhat noisy, will take care of problem even if you do none of the above.I would try flex fan firstAll other answers were excellent.