Just recently (probably because its starting to warm up outside), my car has started to have some overheating issues. It only happens when I'm driving more than about 4-5 miles (makes sense) while in suburban stop-and-go type traffic (i.e. speed up to 45, traffic light turn red just in front of me, stop, repeat). It does not happen in situations where i am consistently going at a relatively constant rate of speed (haven't taken it out on the highway though - has a few other issues then).
I've had the car for just under 2 years (and it was taken care of well by the previous owner), and have not had this issue before.
Thanks for any help.
2007-03-10 16:29:39 · 4 answers · asked by steveb1492 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Could it be the transmission? I've had a few minor issues with it before, and i saw steam coming off of its general area once during one of the overheating incidents
2007-03-10 16:33:12 · update #1
Seems to me that maybe the fans are not kicking in like they are supposed too. During slow traffic they should be on cooling the water, but if you go fast enough the air inertia will cool the radiator down some.
With your car running check and see if the fans come on or not. You can hotwire them directly to the batter to see if they do work. If they work then you just need to replace the fan thermostat switch.
Well if you noticed steam coming out then you might have a piphole leak in one of the rubber water hoses. See if when it gets hot if there is any water on the engine anywhere. If so then one of the hoses may be leaking. I had a pinhole on my hose but could never find it. So the day I decided to go to the parts store the sucker blew a hole in the hose but only 3 blocks away, thank goodness. That was the original hose and lasted 8 years. But I replaced the bottom one while I was at it too.
Now if you run the engine, and there are NO water leaks detected and the fans work, then the radiator is clogged up. T
Now if your fans are working, then it might be time to get the radiator cored out. Most likely the bottom tubes are clogged and water is going thru but not enough thru the tubes to cool off.
Get a Haynes Repair Manual at the local Auto Zone or auto parts store in your area. It will troubleshoot and show you how to fix your vehicle. Also on the Auto Zone site has a section for vehicle maintenance
2007-03-10 16:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by Big C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the electric fan is not working check it first
2007-03-11 00:38:35 · answer #2 · answered by drvshaftdrew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sound like a thermostat is sticking check that out first.
2007-03-11 04:03:56 · answer #3 · answered by crazysam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it IS almost 20 years old. no matter how well it's been taken care of, that's OLD. take it to a mechanic you trust.
2007-03-11 00:38:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋