car overheating?

Question

Hello, my 98 chevy cavalier is overheating. when driving my car in 99 degree weather my temperature gauge reaches the end of the normal line with in 10-15 minutes, but when I turn the A.C off and roll down the windows the temperature gauge starts to go back down. I have gotten the water pump replaced, a new fan motor, thermostat and air take sensor. A worker at firestone suggested that I may need a coolant flush and he said that I had the wrong color coolant in my car. I have green and he said that I should have orange. He also said that the radiator looked fine. Would a coolant flush solve this problem or could it be something else? If anyone knows what the problem could be, please let me know... its too hot to drive without A.C

Answer 1

it sounds like you have a blown head gasket. Does the car still run, or stall when you turn it off? try this; go out to your car and pop the hood. second start it. and then open the radiator cap and put water in it as it runs. if it spit up, then it has a combustion problem which in turn is the head gasket. It costs around $800.00 to 50.00 but don't flip out, check all the coolant in the radiator and make sure there is some or it could be a radiator problem( could be messed up or gummed up " this is what you hope it is!!!! it only costs 50.00 or so). also if you need to drive your car and it still keeps rising the engine temp, then turn the heat on high, cause it will help.

Answer 2

1. Go to the parts stor and buy a couple of bottles of "Water Wetter" and put it in your radiator - it will lower the temp by about 10-15 degrees. Make sure your engine is cool - and you may have to drain out some coolant to make room.

2. Make sure that your coolant is the right proportion. Have a service station check the mixture and condition. If your coolant is degraded, it's time to change it.

3. The color doesn't matter. The orange stuff is supposed to be "lifetime" but it isn't. You're just as well off with 50/50 Prestone (green).

Answer 3

A coolant flush MIGHT help but it's hard to say until you do it. It shouldn't hurt, however. This might be a good time to replace your coolant hoses and heater hoses. If they have never been replaced in a nine-year-old car, one could burst on the highway and leave you stranded.

But to answer your question, flushing the cooling system is a good idea at this point and it just might help. It's cheap, so try it out.

Answer 4

It sounds like a complete coolant flush will do the trick you can not mix green with the new crap it will gel up and cause problems with the flow I know had it happen before.

Answer 5

Make sure you have Dexcool coolant. If it was mixed, you will need to flush out your system. Also check your bleed port to make sure no air is in the engine.

Answer 6

Thermostat, maximum probably. if your hose is warm different than on the radiator then that should be the placement to start. the cooling structures are rather basic on maximum automobiles. i alter my fluid and thermostat as quickly as a twelve months. in case you have a good mechanic do your artwork they ought to replace the thermostat whilst they flush the coolant. maximum rapid lube places do no longer. if the thermostat isn't beginning the water won't have the skill to get cool.

Answer 7

Head Gasket leaking?

Answer 8

yeah, that could be a HUGE PART of the problem.

Also when you do run your a/c make sure you also have your vents set to (fresh) or (outside) air. This will help pull fresh air over your engine and help keep it cool.

Answer 9

I have to agree about the a/c thing. If you don't find the right answer here, try www.askautopro.com. They are smart with this type of stuff.

Answer 10

try the flush it worked on my truck if it is stopped up its like artories in your heart the flow is bad