I have a 97 chevy cavalier and the dial on the right thats supposed to be in the middle all the time goes up REALLY fast when I drive. Could this just mean I have to get more coolant or a major problem?
2007-10-14 03:58:35 · 5 answers · asked by jackiem04 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It could be any number of things.
Low coolant.
Faulty thermostat.
Plugged radiator.
Blown head gasket.
Bad water pump.
Loose drive belt.
Faulty electric fans.
You may want to seek some shop help to find the cause.
2007-10-14 04:03:49 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with donewrenching.. if the coolant level is full when cold then when driving the temp goes up to the dangerzone i would suspect a stuck closed thermostat first. If that is no fix then i would have the system tested for combustion gases entering the cooling system past the cylinder head gasket.. may also be a plugged radiator... regardless do not continue to drive the car with the problem untill it is repaired
2007-10-14 11:10:18 · answer #2 · answered by John St.Louis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the fluid level checks out ok, then there's a potential problem with it's route thru your engine cooling system. Sample problems are sticking thermostat, sediment filled radiator, worn/bad water pump, collapsed/pinched hoses, loss of vacuum, worn/bad head gasket, or other engine performance factors entirely unrelated to the cooling system, like slipped timing, etc.
Simple and primary thing is to CHECK THE COOLANT!
2007-10-14 11:05:54 · answer #3 · answered by omnisource 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well first of all check your level of coolent if that is ok then check to see if you see any leaks if not then it is your thermostat that is sticking in the close position and there for your water pump is not getting water. what you need to do is get that changed out and while doing that get them to do a flush in the radiator what that does is it washes any debris in the raidiator that is preventing it from working prorperly. If you do it your self then get the antifreeze that is 50/50 its made by prestone and peek that is ready to just pour in your radiator . if you just pour pure antifreeze no water mixed with it then it will cause the problem where the anti freeze to not move . I hope this helps you
2007-10-14 11:15:19 · answer #4 · answered by new kid 34 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The temperature gauge should never go into the red. If it's running hot, there could be low coolant, bad thermostat, partially clogged radiator or other issue, you need to get it checked out by a good tech.
2007-10-14 11:02:21 · answer #5 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋