Head Manifold Thermostat

Posted in Car Gasket by Repair Girl on May 19, 2011

Head Manifold Thermostat

2000 Grand am overheating?

Both gaskets were changed last year. Head gasket and intake manifold. No water in oil. The water pump, radiator, water pump, thermostat are only a year old! when I baby it, it don't overheat is weird. But I am loosing water somewhere. I mean it drove about 100 miles today overheated on the way twice low coolant light kept flashing on and off. on the way back right when I left over heated once. then the 80 miles back stayed right at 200 makes no sense to me help!
Yea the fans are kicking on. all the water is shooting out the drain hose thingy. would that cause it to just overheat sometimes? Seems like when I have coolant in it it don't overheat for a few days but I don't wanna waste money on it if its just gonna come out.
Its a grand am gt if that makes any difference.

If the coolant is coming out of the over flow container via the hose ,that would be that either you over filled it or the anti-freeze might not be mixed probably,plus the cap could be faulty or the rad isn't allowing the coolant to flow properly.

I'd want to know for sure that the anti-freeze is mixed correctly and off good quality , plus the right factory recommend type of anti-freeze.Having the proper type of coolant , thermostat is vital due to different engines being made of different metals etc.Plus if the mixture has for example too much water in it or the coolant level is correct that can cause over heating issues or if there's too much anti-freeze.

Start with checking all the rad,rad hose , engine ,from head to toe look for any leaks,next check the quality and mixture of the coolant with a anti-freeze tester.Most of the time you want a 50/50,-40c mixture unless the area you live in is subject to extreme temperatures then go up to 55-60% anti-freeze at the most. and don't use reg water when possible mix with distilled water.

Be sure that the coolant that is in it is clean bec a bad rad can cause rust etc build up or coolant to turn brownish ,plus many ppl don't flush the coolant when they change water pumps etc but really you should at least change the coolant on a regular basis and change , plus flush it when changing gaskets or water pumps.

Obvious signs of a possible bad rad are the metal fins will go very soft and brake off or move by running your fingers a long a cold rad's metal fins,plus the coils of metal you see will be corroded greenish substances at the end of each side of the rad on the tubing and along the rad.Best way to find out is pressure test it or have Rad shop take a look.

Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way you might want to double check what type of coolant and thermostat you have in that engine , plus it's possible even a brand new water pump or thermostat could be faulty, also double check the over flow container cap, check container for cracks or any leaks,and make sure that when you're checking the coolant level that you go by the fill when cold marking and fill when hot marking.Once you think you've got the proper mixture allow the coolant to circulate via going for a drive. Then once you shut it off allow it to cool down for a good 2 to 4 hrs then retest the coolant mixture.That way you can then start being premixed coolant or premix your own.

Note: You don't want ever to add too cool or cold coolant or oil or transmission fluid to a hot engine and sometimes over heating issues are related to tiny cracks etc in the block that can't be detected most of the times without a 100 bucks special x-ray.I'd not try and drive it too much until you have this problem solved bec over heating any engine isn't a good idea.If you do drive it make sure the fans are working and watch the temp gauge if it's gets up too high above half way turn on the heat , that can help reduce the engines heat and may save the day for you too.

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