Engine is overheating?

Hello, I'm Danny.

Just a few questions first. You mention the car heats up quickly but the actual temperature isn't hot? Have you checked the level of coolant in the radiator and overflow container? Get back to me and we'll go from there. If coolant level is normal you might be having an issue with the coolant temperature sensor malfunctioning.

This guide can help us pinpoint the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

I've attached a picture below of its location.I can supply replacement instructions. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

The car does not overheat at idle just when accelerating. there is no coolant leak and I have replace the thermostat.

Hello,

This sounds like the radiator is plugged either internally or externally. Also, can you confirm the radiator fan working when the air conditioner is on please?

Here is a guide to help us get started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

My car is suddenly over heating. Changed the oil last week and it started after that. Replaced coolant temperature sensor first, that did nothing. changed the thermostat, it is still overheating but not as fast. No smoking, no milky looking residue in oil, and yes coolant full. Going to try fully flushing the radiator tomorrow, is that possibly the issue?


Malibu Maxx

Hello,

Possibly, but I would look at the water pump first. Underneath the water pump is a little hole called the weep hole. This is designed to let coolant weep out of the water pump when it fails so the coolant doesn't leak into the bearings, seizing the water pump completely. If there is coolant leaking there than your water pump is bad and needs to be replaced. It's probably a good bet that this is the problem, so I have included the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part number and the instructions for the removal and installation of your vehicle's water for you in the diagrams down below. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

The dealership replaced the Body Control Module from a recalla Now the car runs rough and overheats while idle?

The BCM shouldn't have any connection with those symptoms. You should probably bring it back to them and explain that the symptons started when the Module was changed and could they check to see if the tech inadvertently caused it.

My car overheats and I've replaced water pump, thermostat, coolant temperature switch, radiator three different, relays, fuses, bled the cooling system. The fans turn on at 230 degrees. I've taken it to three different mechanics still could not
fix it. they say the head gasket is good. so now I don't know what to do.

Hello,

Did you physically check the opening temperature of your vehicle's thermostat by placing it in a pan of boiling water to verify that it is opening when it should? I have seen and bought thermostats that were bad right out of the box, and it is very frustrating because that part is good, it's brand new, in your mind and you wind up chasing your tail because of it. I would suggest doing that first, keep it basic, there's not a lot to an engine cooling system. I have included the specs for your vehicle's cooling system in the diagrams down below.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

I replaced water pump & thermostat but car still gets hot ._after 3 to 5 min not hitting gas it cools down then get hot again?/

Welcome to 2CarPros.

This could be a few different things. First, are the cooling fans turning on when they should? Next, did you flush the radiator to see if that helped? Have you checked for an issue with a head gasket? Are you sure there is no air in the cooling system? If you didn't properly bleed the system while reinstalling the coolant, an air pocket can cause this.

Take a look through these links. I included flushing the radiator, radiator fan info and how to check for a bad head gasket. I have to be honest, based on your description, it sounds like either you have air in the system or the new thermostat is sticking. Regardless, here are the links. I will also include directions for draining and refilling the cooling system which discusses how to bleed the system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

________________________________

Here are the directions for draining and refilling the coolant. They include bleeding the system. The attached pictures correlate with these directions. By the way, I realize you know how to drain it because you already did it to replace the pump. I'm adding this because it discusses the refilling process too.

Draining and Filling Cooling System (LX9)
^ Tools Required
- J 26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester

Draining Procedure


pic 1


Caution: With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

1. Unscrew the surge tank cap to remove vacuum when draining coolant.
2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Place a container under the radiator drain.


pic 2


4. Unscrew the radiator drain plug until coolant flows out the radiator drain.


pic 3


5. Place a large pan under the engine block left coolant drain plug and remove the drain plug.
6. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.
^ Normal in appearance-Follow the filling procedure.
^ Discolored-Follow the flush procedure.

Fill Procedure


pic 4


Notice: The procedure below must be followed Improper coolant level could result in a low or high coolant level condition, causing engine damage.

1. Install the engine block left coolant drain plug.
2. Close the radiator drain plug.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Vehicle should be level.
5. Add a mixture of 50/50 DEX-COOL- antifreeze and clean drinkable water until the level stabilizes at the weld seam on the surge tank. Refer to Capacities - Approximate Fluid in Maintenance and Lubrication.


pic 5

Bleeding the system
6. Unscrew the coolant bleed screw on the engine until coolant comes out of the bleed screw.
7. Close the bleed screw.
8. Add coolant until the level stabilizes at the weld seam on the surge tank.


pic 6


9. Install the surge tank cap.

Important: DO NOT exceed 2,200 RPM.

10. Start the engine and run at 2,000 RPM until the engine cooling fans turn ON.
11. Remove the surge tank cap.
12. Refill to the weld seam on the surge tank.

Important: Coolant should be at the full cold mark when the system cools.

13. Install the surge tank cap.
14. Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant using J26568.
15. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.

________________________

Let me know if any of this helps or if you have other questions. I have a feeling it is something simple.

Take care,
Joe

I have a malibu maxx 04 overheating, I have replaced water pump, thermostat and coolant temperature sensor, what else I need to do? I have replaced water pump, thermostat and coolant temperature sensor.

Are both upper and lower radiator hoses getting really hot?Also is your radiator cooling fan working?If so what temp does it turn on at?

Hello,
so, my Malibu usually operates on a temperature level of 85-87 C . Lately the I noticed that it idles high AT NIGHT; in bumper to bumper traffic. By high I mean it sometimes fluctuates up to 90 and (95 on one occasion) and back to normal in no time. So I was wondering what is causing it? This happens at night and the AC is off, and When I pop the hood I notice a slight drop in coolant level , while the level is normal at day time.
I should add that I got 32000 miles on it, and I believe the previous owner hadn't changed the coolant fluid before.
Another question: How much longer can I avoid changing my transmission fluid?

THANKS

We need to start with checking the cooling system however, if you are not sure if the system has been flushed then let's just do that.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Once we know it is clean and full and it is still doing this ,then we need to pressure test it. Here is a guide that will help with that.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Lastly here is a guide that helps in more general terms when an engine is overheating. Let's run through all this material and see what turns up.

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

Thanks