Hot engine

2009 BUICK ENCLAVE
180,000 MILES
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MZSHELL
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If it’s very hot outside and I’m running the air the temperature gauge goes up 1 to 2 dashes above 210 degrees. When I’m on the hwy it goes back down to 210. If I shut the air off it stays at 210 degrees.
Jul 26, 2020 at 8:01 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

I would start by changing the thermostat. If it is not opening all th way, it will cause the engine to heat up.

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Are the cooling fans coming on when the engine is stopped or idling?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-electric-cooling-fan-works

I attached a wiring diagram for the fans in case there is an issue. We can do some checks if they are not working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Roy
Jul 26, 2020 at 8:39 AM
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MZSHELL
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I have changed the thermostat and also the water pump, flushed the radiator and still does it when it’s very hot outside and when the air is running. The fans was checked and they checked out good.
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:18 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, I would make sure the radiator is not full of dirt in the external fins. If they are, not enough air will come through for cooling the engine.

Did it ever overheat?

Roy
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:21 AM
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MZSHELL
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It does not get to the danger mark but it gets hot. I already had the radiator flushed.
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:24 AM
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MZSHELL
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It sometimes gets a little higher then this:
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:26 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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A standard flush is not good enough. You need someone with a machine that can do an acid flush that will dissolve the dirt and debris in the cores.

Also, the external fins need to checked as I stated in my previous response.

roy
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:32 AM
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MZSHELL
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I had a radiator shop do it and he told me he got a lot of junk out of it, but that didn’t fix the issue.
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:36 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Then there may be more inside that did not get removed.

I would suggest replacing the radiator with a new one.

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

Roy
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:42 AM