Engine Overheating? cooling fan starts working too late?

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture Automatic

For some time now my Venture has been kind of sputtering here and there, but we thought it was just the gas we put in it or something because it would seem to stop for a long time and then do it again for a bit. Last night the sputtering started again so I drove home. This morning during a short drive the temp skyrocketed. It seems like the radiator fan is cutting on and off. The fuse looks fine. When the fan comes on it cools down fast. The fluid was a bit low so I filled it up. I don't know much about cars, but was hoping to get some feedback as to what the problem might be.

I need you to check something. First, make sure the coolant isn't mixing with the engine oil. Second, check for evidence of a coolant leak.

My concern is the spuddering is coming from a bad intake or head gasket. THis would also explaine why you may be low on coolant.

LEt me know what you find.

Joe

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I am having trouble with a 1998 Chevy Venture van with a 3.4 litre engine. the temp gauge goes all the way over to hot but the water temp is not hot. I drive for about 2 miles and than it comes back down to cold than rises to normal operating temp. When it goes over to hot the engine starts to miss at times. But when the temp gauge goes back down it stops missing . I replaced the thermostat and when i refilled the radiator and started the engine the water in the radiator did not suck into the engine it was pushing out the fill hole on the radiator i. I have flushed the system . the water in the radiator never seems to be very warm at all. Could it be possible the thermostat was defective or the water pump is bad. Or could it be a head gasket. I would be grateful for any help you can give me or to help me check it out better.
thanks
Bob

Very common to find bad intake gasket
check it out also bleed coolant system
fill with coolant let it run until coolant fan come on
shut engine off let it cool open radiator and top off
good luck

*****************************************
need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm

thanks for the answer but are you talking about the intake itself or the top intake (the plinuinum) gaskets

Bottom intake manifold gasket

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture Automatic

My van keeps overheating fast I don't have to go far before it overheats. I have already changed the thermostat.

Are you using coolant?

Mark (mhpautos)

no my container is full

Check that the pressure cap is holding pressure, have the radiator cleaned as it may be part blocked, check operation of cooling fans, start here.

mark (mhpautos)

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

ware is the coolant resavore sencer at on this van the light keeps going on and the coolant is never low i need help asap

It should be on the bottom of your coolant bottle.Unplug it and jump the connector across the two terminal's if the light goes out then you know you have a bad sensor.

[quote:2f4d5b0fff="saturntech9"]It should be on the bottom of your coolant bottle.Unplug it and jump the connector across the two terminal's if the light goes out then you know you have a bad sensor.[/quote:2f4d5b0fff] no it is not under the coolant bottle checked that alredy but thanks

Sorry about that i emailed you where the module is and the trouble tree for the light.

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

when i drive the van for 2 miles the temp gauge goes over to hot than goes all the way down to cold than comes back and reads normal. i replaced the thermostat. When i refilled the radiator i started the engine and the water started coming out the radiator fill hole instead of sucking it in the engine. could the thermostat i put in be defective? the water in the radiator never seems to get warm. could it be intake gaskets or the top plinuim or top intake can you please help me and point me in the right direction or give me some tips on how can check the system to see if i can find out for sure the problem.
Thanks
Bob

If temp gauge fluctuates, the system has air in it, As you fill it, it's normal for coolant to spill out of the top if you pout too much in, as the block warms up, the coolant expands. Leave it running, the level will drop when the thermostat opens, top it off at that point. Re check the level after you drive it and it cools down.

My van over heats I put a new thermistat in and water pump .When it over heats the top hose is hot and the bottom hose is cool .The radiator and bottom hose airnt pluged. Do I need a new Van?

You can install a new radiator, and hose...but the lower hose should be cooler than the top hence the cooling affect of the radiator! When is the last time you flushed out the system?

I have a 98 Chevy Venture with a 3.4 engine and 89,000 miles. The engine goes from hot to cold(no rhyme or reason not just when stopping or idling) and occassionally the low coolant light comes on. The reservouir is full so I am not sure why it is saying that it is low on coolant. I checked the radiator and it is also full. a friend said that it may be air in the system that needs to be bled. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi there,

Simple things first. As you say the coolant is not leaking but the low coolant light is coming on, this would indicate that the switch in the header tank that indicates a coolant loss is faulty, so i would be checking that first. As for the over heating, replace the thermostat, and have the radiator pressure cleaned and see how things go from there.

Mark (mhpautos)

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture 6 cyl Automatic

how do you replace a thermostat

Its a very difficult task
few ways to go about it
removing throttle body and try to reach the lower bolt is one
the way it should be down is by remove the exhaust cross over pipe
or you can try with a ¼ in flex to remove the hold down bolts

*****************************************
need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm

Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Venture 6 cyl Automatic

my radiator is leaking or i don't know cause im putting coolant atleast twice a day. i recently change the water pump thats when it started.

check the pump is not leaking ?