Car overheats a little.....what should i do?

Question

I have a 1990 Buick Century, and the temperature gauge runs a little over 200 (the midway point). Is a flush needed, or what could the problem be.

Note that this has happened, but it was 11 months ago, and a mechanic was able to do something temporary to it, but he did say I needed some work on it. Since then the temp. was fine until now.

Answer 1

Wash out the radiator ( out side, sprayin water through it, like the air flows) with garden hose front and back. If you use a presure washer at the car wash work's good. But you have to be careful not to get too close. Don't use a brush or anything as this can damage the cooling tube's and fins., If you look really hard you should be sorta able to see through it thats when you know it's clean.
check be sure your fan's working also
Change coolant and thermostat.
That doesn't work, may need real good flushing or water pump.

Answer 2

a little over 200 is not unusual if outside temps are around 100 like in the midwest lately.. make sure cooling fan is operating and check for debris on a/c condensor limiting airflow

Answer 3

Replace your thermostat. It's a $3.00 item that is found in the hose leading from the top of your radiator. Trust me, I didn't believe it at first either, but when I replaced the thing in my '92 Chevy truck, which has the identical engine to your car, it ran cooler AND it had more power.

Answer 4

Could simply be low on coolant?

It could be a number of other things too, but not much YOU could do to fix it.

Faulty electric fans?
Faulty thermostat?
Blown head gasket?
Plugged radiator?
Worn water pump?
Loose drive belt?
Dirty radiator?

Answer 5

if it is over heating i would take the thermostat out. it help keep the fluid running all the time therefore it stays cooler. don't forget to put the thermostat back in when it starts getting colder!!! i do this to all my vehicles.

Answer 6

I would take it to a mechanic fast

Answer 7

try a better coolant and make a richer setting on carb