i have a 98 oldsmobile intrigue that has just recently started running hot when i'm driving in the afternoon. it hasn't overheated yet but has gotten pretty close, especially when the temp outside tops 110 ( i live in az).
i do notice that when i shut off the a/c or turn the heater on, the temp goes down.
in the mornings it runs fine and the temp gauge stays right in the middle. the same goes for when i park the car in the garage then run it in the afternoon. but if i'm out longer than a few hours with it-it runs hot.
what could this be? my radiator was replaced (supposedly per the repair shop b/c my car was under warrenty) last december along with my intake madifold and gasket.
should i try flushing the radiator to see if it's clogged? i'm not noticing any leaks and i just put more dexcool in the radiator a few days ago. i DID notice some buildup in the radiator cap and along the inside lip of the radiator itself. both fans work as well.
thanks!!!
2007-08-20 16:50:27 · 6 answers · asked by prncessang228 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have a 98 intrigue and it was doing that. Since your radiator is new i would try the air purge screw first. Take the oil fill neck out and take the engine cover off. Follow the top radiator hose to the engine. There is a screw in the top of the thermostat cover. loosen this and the air should come out. Your owners manual covers this procedure. Also take the garden hose and wash the radiatior remove leaves etc. Next I would try a new thermostat and fluid. If there is build up it's probably time to flush it. When you turn the heater on you actually take heat away from the engine and the temp drops. If your ac is on the fans should be on if working correctly. (Look under hood). I live in a colder climate but it was heating up in slow traffic.
2007-08-20 17:03:50 · answer #1 · answered by Garfield 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you need to do is have the antifreeze and water concentration checked. If there is too much antifreeze (I've seen even Master Technicians not dilute it) in the cooling system the car will run hotter than usual.
If you are in a hot zone where you do not get freezing temp's or near zero, the amount of antifreeze should be less than 50/50. But if it is right at 50/50 (50% water and 50% antifreeze) you should not be running hot but the only way to know is to test the coolant and they do this with a little inexpensive antifreeze concentration gauge/tool.
You should also make certain that the electric radiator fan is coming on (going full blast) when the car is hot.
You can also bleed any air out of the system like the other fellow mentioned as this will give you a false hot reading if there is an air bubble in one of the cylinder heads.
The only other unknown is if they replaced your radiator with the proper one, meaning a new radiator that is rated for your engine. Most newer radiators are better than the original when it comes to cooling but there's no telling if they messed up and installed the wrong radiator that can't properly handle the cooling needs of your engine with all of the accessories running full blast.
Good Luck!
2007-08-20 17:28:50 · answer #2 · answered by CactiJoe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
98 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2016-09-30 12:23:35 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in hot climates, they will run hotter on the gauge than normal. Does it go ALL the way up into the red?
no?
then you`re fine.
is there coolant in the little bottle on the side? it should be 1/4 full when it`s cold.
2007-08-20 17:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by mdcbert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would flush the radiatior and put in a new thermostat easy to change and a very cheap fix most vechicles thermostats is why they overheat because no one ever thinks of it and spend money on stuff that is working just fine
good luck
2007-08-20 16:55:47 · answer #5 · answered by yamaharidr608 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
=)
2007-08-20 16:55:26 · answer #6 · answered by apple d 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋