I recently bought a 96 sable. It is not dohc. It started over-heating, so my brother immediately changed the thermostat. He also did the plugs and wires and such. There was no thermostat in it when he took the casing off to change it. It seemed fine. Drove it a few miles, overheated again. Took it to a garage. They said it might be from air in radiator hoses. Let any air out that may have been there. The fan up front is kicking on. There was also a radiator cap that didn't fit very well that I replaced. When the mechanic was changing the oil, he said there was no filter in the oil filter. That it was hollowed out, but the oil was really good. Seemed not to overheat when he let it sit and run for about 15-20 mins., but I think there might be something else wrong. The heat seemed only warm, not hot. Or maybe it could just be me. I don't really know, I just want some ideas because I am going out of town soon. White smokeonly on start-up and no water/antifreeze in oil no leak in radiator.
2007-03-01 16:17:30 · 4 answers · asked by i-care 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hi nice job on listing all that has been done ..Taking all that in to account . This is whats wrong . Your radiator is is restricted or some what blocked .. You said the car will idle for 15 or 20 minutes. With out heating up .. This is because there is no load on it . On the highway it heats up because of the load. Find a reliable radiator shop and have your radiator re-cored or replaced . I promise you that is the problem .. Remember most garages farm this work out . And re-bill you so deal with the source. good Luck ..
2007-03-01 22:24:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the thermostat is missing, that would cause the car to run cool not overheat. Not to second guess your brother, but he may not be looking in the right place. Or maybe the previous owner tried to cure the overheating by removing the thermostat. The messed up radiator cap and oil filter are both bad signs about whoever was looking after this car.
Flush out the radiator. I'll bet it is plugged with crap of some kind that does not let the antifreeze circulate and I'll also bet that the same crap is plugging your heater too.
2007-03-01 18:16:11 · answer #2 · answered by jimanddottaylor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you've prolly only got one or two other possibilities. Your water pump it may not be pushing the antifreeze, or the radiator might be clogged, and Your engine has to have a thermostat, every car has to have one to regulate the engine temp, so it heats up to a temp quick then it opens and lets the antifreeze flow and cool the engine.
2007-03-01 16:36:45 · answer #3 · answered by chromeplated500 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya i'ma have to go with chrome dude.......but....if i had to take a guess i would check in this order..
1......leak..
2..........leak
2 and 1/2..... thermo
3........waterpump
4...........clog
do a pressure test .....
how many miles on car???
2007-03-01 17:42:16 · answer #4 · answered by ll_rich_boy_ll 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋