Overheating Motor

redlightningsvx · #1 08-01-2009, 07:27 PM

Well I when in town today about 1:00pm to the skatepark about 15 miles away. About 30min later I dive about 2 miles to my buddy's work to pick him up and waited for about 5-8 min with the a/c on full 65 blast. After that we drove about another 2 miles to his house and I sat about another 5 min in the car, a/c still running. Then the a/c get warm and I look down at the temp gauge and its about 1/8in away from the top line

. I then quickly shut it off and checked everything under the hood. I then started it back up and cranked the heat on which cooled it back to normal operation temp. We then drove about 2 more miles to the skatepark and I left it sit. At about 8:30pm I started the car and cranked the a/c on again full blast to try and simulate the heating problem....nothing happened. So I drove about 15miles back to my house a/c still on and not a single problem. This didn't happen before today. The only thing I touched on the car yesterday was an oil/filter change, removed the muffler which is still off the car, and I checked the tranny/coolant lines for cracks. I squeezed the coolant lines a little top and bottom and I think some how I may have damaged the thermostat. So what do you guys think, just PLEASE DON"T SAY HEADGASKETS.

Hocrest · #2 08-01-2009, 07:44 PM

It's your headgaskets...

Just kidding untill we know more?? Did you check the fluid when it cooled down? Do both fans work? If it just happened the once, it could be a thermostat? Keep an eye on it and check the fluid regularly. If you have to keep adding and you can't find any leaks, then it could be your... I won't say it...

redlightningsvx · #3 08-01-2009, 07:50 PM

You scared me

Yes both fans work and when it cooled down the overflow tank was at full but when I opened the radiator cap I didn't see any fluid? Both rad hoses are hot. Also it rose temp while driving to the gas station ealier today to. it like when the a/c works the heat is cold and when the heat works the a/c is warm.

PS: both rad hoes felt like they have a lot of pressure in them.

Wikedjuggalo · #4 08-01-2009, 07:51 PM

When in doubt... replace the thermostat.

redlightningsvx · #5 08-01-2009, 07:53 PM

That's what I hope it is. I think when I squeezed the rad hoses I may have damaged the t-stat.

Hocrest · #6 08-01-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

That's what I hope it is. I think when I squeezed the rad hoses I may have damaged the t-stat.

I really doubt that you damaged the thermostat by squeezing the hose...

Also make sure that there is good flow into and out of the reservoir. Pull the small hose off where it attaches to the radiator and blow through, it should bubble into the reservoir with little resistance, then blow into the reservoir and you should get good flow back out.

redlightningsvx · #7 08-01-2009, 08:28 PM

Dave, I just opened the rad cap and I seen a little coolant in there now. About enough to be level with the fins in there. I also disconnected the hose on the cap and blew into it and it felt like it may have been blocked because it took a good quick blow and it bubbles with ease now. Also the coolant level in the overflow tank ia about a 1/4 in past the full line so that may be where the rest of the coolant may be since the tank isn't full?

Crazy_pilot · #8 08-01-2009, 07:54 PM

My car overheated on the highway back in May. I topped up the coolant, drove it the remaining 13 hours of my trip, and continued to drive it all summer without the gauge ever going past the little squiggly lines of the temp logo. I replaced the water pump and thermostat last week when the pump started leaking. Maybe our cars are just getting a little cranky in their old age?