Dear Tom,
My 2001 Olds Intrigue started overheating and all the cheap fixes I've tried have not worked. I installed a new temperature gauge, flushed the radiator, replaced the sending unit, and checked for air lock (it even failed the "sniffer" test for a cracked head). I was told that other people have had the same problem with this make and year. Were there any recalls? What else do you think I should check?
Barb from NM
Barb,
I am not sure of what you mean by a "sniffer test." Perhaps a four-gas analyzer? This procedure will only reveal if there are excessive tailpipe emissions (not if there is water in the exhaust). Try having a "block test" performed. During this test, the technician will draw a vial of coolant from the radiator and then mix it with a special chemical to see if it turns color. A positive test indicates that there is exhaust gas in the cooling system caused by a blown head gasket. Another way to track down a blown head gasket is to perform a cylinder leak-down test. Finally, a compression test will also reveal if there's a leaking head gasket. One last thought ... these vehicles have had intake manifold issues. Have the intake checked for a leak because this condition would also result in a coolant leak. There are no recalls for coolant leaks; recalls are only issued for safety-related problems. I wish you success.
Tom
With over 27 years in the automotive industry and nearly a decade in automotive talk radio, Tom Torbjornsen makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. Tom has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and tearing down the technical, meeting you at your level of understanding. You will be encouraged as you gain the confidence to deal with problems related to the second most expensive purchase you will make in a lifetime - your automobile.
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My Car Is Overheating: What Should I Do?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1. I have a 1991 Toyota Camry that is also overheating, my son is going to replace the heater core, however, he does not think that is the problem, what do you suggest?
Posted at 10:54AM on Mar 18th 2009 by Connie
2. I am looking for a used car.
I know some cars require high octain fuel
how can I fing out what makes ie BMW LEX.INF.VWS
require this expensive fuel????
thank you
jhl
Posted at 1:53PM on Mar 19th 2009 by John
3. I did not hear either of you with the overheating problem mention that you checked or replaced your thermostat. Second, if heater core is leaking on toyota then you will lose coolent, if core is cloged this will not effect your cooling system from an overheat problem.
Third on the person wondering about high octane, it will be right on the gas gauge in instrument cluster and will say (high octane only)
Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 28th 2009 by john
4. connie have your radiator cleaned out if you used any glop to the coolant for leak stop the fibers in the leak stop may have blocked the rqadiator the vertical tubes may be blocked at the bottor preventing proper cooling causing overheating,,,
Posted at 7:40PM on Mar 30th 2009 by JOHN
5. adding a small amount of citrc acid to the radiator citric acid will eat up any rust deposits that may be in the cooling system,,,
Posted at 8:28PM on Mar 31st 2009 by JOHN
6. adding a small amount of citrc acid to the radiator citric acid will
eat up any rust deposits that may be in the cooling system,,,
Posted at 8:29PM on Mar 31st 2009 by JOHN
7. Also replace the radiator cap. "Bad" thermostat is a possibility. Or at least have the rad cap tested. And -- How do you define overheating? Modern cars run VERY hot. It is necessary for the proper operation of the smog controls. Is it boi8ling over? C'mon, ask around for a good neighborhood mechanic. A 1991 car is VERY OLD by modern standards.
Posted at 11:33AM on Apr 9th 2009 by Jerry
8. Vehicles that require high octane fuels are always upscale luxury cars. Why buy one of these? They can be VERY expensive to maintain. Unless you want to drive at extreme and highly illegal speeds you JUST DO NOT WANT A LUXURY PERFORMANCE CAR!The lesser performance models of these same cars do not require H.O. fuels ~~~~ But they are just as expensive to maintain.
Posted at 11:32AM on Apr 9th 2009 by Jerry
9. yesterday my car started running when i checked the rdiator it was empty i had to stop several times to put water in what could cause this? it's a 2001 ford taurus xl
Posted at 9:43AM on Apr 27th 2009 by cristeen
10. If you're driving at normal highway speed and your vehicle starts to overheat, turn off your air conditioning and then turn on the heater and immediately (or as soon as you can safely) pull over to the shoulder. It's likely that if your car starts to overheat at highway speed, there's a problem in the cooling system such as low coolant, a clogged radiator or a broken drive belt or a coolant leak, like from a burst hose. Once you are safely at the shoulder, shut off the engine, open the hood and let the engine cool down 20 minutes minimum (the car can actually get hotter before it cools off). As soon any overboiling stops and the engine has cooled, look for any obvious signs of trouble, such as a pool of coolant or a broken belt. DO NOT attempt to open the radiator cap unless the engine is off and the top of the radiator is cold. If there is no noticeable problem you can then add a coolant/water mixture to the radiator or overflow reservoir, start the vehicle and drive slowly to a service facility. Running the car when it's overheating can severely damage the engine, to the point that a whole new engine is required.
Posted at 1:56PM on May 1st 2009 by traceyc193
11. I also own a 1991 Toyota Camry. It may be the sensor that turns on the coolant fan when you are in traffic or at a light. The only other thing I can think of is to have the radiator flushed with a caustic solution at a garage. Let them do it though because the '91 has a plastic topped radiator.
Posted at 1:06AM on May 2nd 2009 by jaguignon
12. I have a 2000 Sebring convertible that thefan motor only works on high speed. Is there some control involved that controls the slower speeds???? The air conditioner works well but only on high speed???
Posted at 11:26AM on May 7th 2009 by Ken
13. I have a 2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible that the fan only operates on high speed???? The A/C works but only on high speed. Is there another control that controls the speed of the fan???
Posted at 11:37AM on May 7th 2009 by Ken
14. Go to righttorepair.org andsign the petition
The need for Right to Repair legislation has become a necessity in order to protect the rights of car owners to decide where and how they have their vehicles serviced, whether at a new car dealer or an independent service facility. Right to Repair ensures that the person who bought the car and not the car company, can decide where that vehicle is repaired and maintained.
Posted at 12:40PM on May 13th 2009 by Right to Repair
15. I have a 2001 hyundaiaccent. Recently smelled "heat" periodically. Today I observed oil splashes on the engine. What can I do? I only have 67,000 miles on vehicle.
Posted at 1:28PM on Jun 2nd 2009 by dawud abdullah
16. I have a 88-91 honda civic and it started overheating, I changed the head gasket and its still overheating, What would be the problem?
Posted at 12:58PM on Jun 2nd 2009 by Santos Alfaro
17. I like the way your explain auto issues, Tom. You have the ability to use simple terms for jargons we would normally use in auto sales and
car detailing in Vancouver. You are not only an automotive expert but one hell of a writer as well:) Kudos!
Posted at 11:22PM on May 29th 2009 by Aidan Weisz
18. I think you should try to get a service manual for your car model. As they have many troubleshooting tips for problem like this.
Try http://www.factory-servicemanual.com if you don't have a service manual yet.
Posted at 4:19AM on Jun 3rd 2009 by yrre7
19. NEW, FIND RATTLE AND SQUEAKS WITHOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FOR INFO GO TO: www.rattletracker.com
Posted at 10:36PM on Jun 6th 2009 by Steve Sauer
20. Current automotive technology is being used to successfully "lock out" car owners from being able to repair and maintain their own vehicles, requiring them to return to the dealership for repairs and making it impossible to shop around for the best price. The Right to Repair legislation fights for consumers. Got a story about high repair costs or having trouble finding someone to fix your car? We’d love to hear it at http://righttorepair.org/takeaction/sharestory.aspx
While you’re there, visit the homepage to sign a petition to Congress supporting the Right to Repair Act. www.righttorepair.org
Posted at 11:04AM on Jun 11th 2009 by Righ to Repair