when i drive my car about 10-15 mins later the check gage light comes on and the arrow goes to HOT! i stop let it cool off and drive until i make it home. it only happened once what do i do? do you think the problem is fixable. it doesnt make a noise or smoke or smell. just the arrow.
2007-03-26 02:27:48 · 8 answers · asked by tracie e 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
make sure the fan works replace the thurmostat top off colant or pluged radiator bad radiator cap thease are the most comon and yes its fixable
2007-03-26 02:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it only happened once, then it was probably b/c you were driving fast or made frequent stops and it was really hot outside. Next time you are in your car and you are driving, periodically watch the hand. If it fluctuates between 100 and then middle it ok. If it fluctuates past the middle (between the middle and hot), immediatlely pull over and check your coolant level. If there is coolant in the pump and you don't notice any leaks right away, take it to a mechanic so they can look into it further. If you check the coolant and it needs some, stop at the nearest auto parts store or gas station and buy some depending on the type that your car needs(mines use only Dex-Cool, the orange). Now for the worst case scenerio, since we both have GM made cars. If after you put coolant in and a few days later the temp goes up and you check and see that there's no coolant again, then you have a big problem. Well, maybe not that big. From least worst to worst, the problem could be: need new coolant storage pump, leak in radiator hose, need radiator flush, valves need to be bled, new INTAKE manifold gasket(b/c there's a leak), or a new HEAD gasket. I have a 97 Monte Carlo, and GM ****** them up with bad intakes and knew it would be costly to do a recall. In my case, my coolant was always low. I had a radiator flush and that did not good. My car would go through a container of Dex-Cool a day. One day, based on common knowledge and reading about my car, I looked under the hood and took out the dipstick for the engine oil. And it was ORANGE, the same color as my coolant. I also started my car and looked at the exhaust pipe and white smoke was coming out. Then it was clear, the coolant was mixing with the oil and being burned out through the exhaust pipe, which is why I never has any coolant. So basically, there was a leak in my intake and I had to have it replaced. And let me tell you, if it is the intake or the entire head gasket, get read to spend alot of money. I hope this helped.
2007-03-26 02:48:12 · answer #2 · answered by lroc06 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sometimes there's a separate radiator cap on top of the radiator in addition to the coolant overflow bottle cap. If your car has the separate radiator cap, make sure the engine's cold and remove that cap. The coolant should be almost overflowing out of the radiator when you remove the cap. If it's not, fill the radiator completely full with coolant and replace the cap. Of course your checking your overflow bottle and making sure it's properly filled also. You could buy a new radiator cap at the auto store, but make sure it's the right part number for your car. Keep checking the coolant levels in both the radiator itself and in the overflow bottle regularly to see if your losing coolant somewhere. Always make sure the engine's cold when you remove the coolant caps.
2007-03-26 02:46:48 · answer #3 · answered by bobweb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why could you opt for to. A thermostat is comparatively affordable. many times lower than $10. a sparkling thermostat will comprise a sparkling gasket. you opt for to modify the gasket then you really open the thermostat housing or you'll maximum in all probability finally end up with a leak. in case you'll go by each and each of the attempt to get rid of the thermostat, do it suitable and set up a sparkling one. Do it suitable or do not do it in any respect. you may have themes by technique of no longer having a thermostat. In cooler climate, the engine could never attain complete operating temperature. the computing gadget can make the gas / air ratio too wealthy because of the chilly engine. this can reason problems with the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter. you may also get detrimental gas economic gadget. you also does no longer get a lot warmth from the heater. this can be uncomfortable on a chilly day. also, your defrosters does no longer sparkling frost on the windshield.
2016-12-02 20:16:34 · answer #4 · answered by sarro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ONCE IT'S COOL, check the coolant level, it may need to be filled... or you might have a slight leak that you have not noticed, make sure of this.
And or the thermostat might need to be replaced... check or have it checked at a trusted mechanic or friend.
Best wishes!
"/JOe
2007-03-26 02:33:24 · answer #5 · answered by "/ J()€ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water pump may be going. Tends to result in super fast temp gauge movement. If it's fine, it may just be the belt slipping, try tightening it if it needs it. (Other than obvious things like coolant level or thermostat.)
2007-03-26 02:54:42 · answer #6 · answered by pancakes & hyrup 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, check your coolant level. If that is fine see if the cooling fan is turning on and off like it should. If that's fine you need a thermostat.
2007-03-26 02:33:17 · answer #7 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well your thermostat may be on its way out. It may stick open or closed every now and then,but eventually it will go bad and will need replaced.
2007-03-26 02:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋