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.
- Latest News In
- Auto Repair (8)
- Car Care (2)
- Car Safety (1)
- Emissions Control (1)
Search Under the Hood
My Car Is Overheating: What Should I Do?
Add your comments
Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.
When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
21. This is crazy. I have a 1999 BMW 740i that has the following problem. My brake,ABS,ASC lights come on intermitily while driving, They never come on when I'm sitting still. I can stop and turm of the car and wait for about a minute until the computer turns off and I wont have the problem again until I stop and turn the car off again. THe problem is a "Wheel Speed Sensor" on one of the 4 brakes. Cost to fix at the dealer is $938.00 WHat do we need with all these fool contraptions?
Posted at 9:49PM on Jun 24th 2009 by Bill Williams
22. i have a 1990 chevy blazer s10 its got alota miles 260000 i just recently started driving and it runs at 210 degrees is this normal im gunna put a cooler thermastst in it hope it cools it down but is it ok for it to run this hot should i stop driving it
Posted at 11:12PM on Jun 26th 2009 by brian bishop
23. so i got a thermostat its still runin at 210 what should i do any sugestions 1990 chevy blazer s10
260000 miles
Posted at 11:17PM on Jun 26th 2009 by brian bishop
24. Check the water cooling system to ensure its topped up. If you have a leak it would cause overheating.
Posted at 1:34PM on Jul 25th 2009 by car vehicles
25. I have a 1990 NIssan 300zx, when I bought the car i knew it was overheating. It all started with antifreeze boiling out of the overflow, so I have since changed the overflow resevoir, the thermostat, i also changed some hoses, and clamps to ensure maximum compression! However now after 20 mins the car still overheats! there is no smoke out the tailpipe, the fan runs, the top hose of the radiator is hot and the bottom is luke warm. Also the only thing I can see now is the top hose from the radiator leading to the engine was making a small hissing sound, but nothing dramatic! Please help me, it seems I cant get ahead of the problems!!
Posted at 12:08PM on Jul 29th 2009 by majid
26. My 2002 Civic has been overheating for the past 2 months - first it was the overfloww tube that keeps on coming off, then the mechanic said it was a burst tube that he had to replace, another mechanic said it was the caps for the tubes and recently it was a pin hole in the throttle body - does this make sense to you - I am afraid to drive my car for long periods now as I have had it towed too many times.
Posted at 8:46PM on Aug 6th 2009 by Berndette Ocampo
27. i have a 2001 olds intrig with a heating problem have relace themot raditor water pumb cap what else could the trouble be?
Posted at 10:29AM on Aug 7th 2009 by linda griego
28. NIce site i just started my blog on vehicle repairs stop by leave me a comment
http://estovideorepairs.blogspot.com/
Posted at 8:11PM on Aug 13th 2009 by esteban Torres
29. Check your water pump, Thermostate, also check out www.rareiron,com for tips and parts.
They helped me with my over heating problem. good luck
Posted at 12:49AM on Aug 16th 2009 by raredone
30. I would look at gettin g a new water pump,
rareiron.com may have it and cheaper than most. Goof luck
Posted at 12:50AM on Aug 16th 2009 by raredone
31. at what temperature should i start worrying about overheating.my 1995 ford conversion van has always run very hot.i took out the thermostat 3 years ago after crossing into mexico.new radiator,new hoses,and new mechanical temp guage.is 210 degrees with the air on too hot to run the van?
Posted at 7:45PM on Aug 26th 2009 by michael zelenka
32. I hae a 1994 pacearrow motor home, I am haveing a problem withj the electrcai relays that regulate the electrical compnents in the motorhome intrior. there are four slanoide in a power box that I have to jump power to get them to work. any who has had a simular problem please let me know .
Posted at 3:31PM on Sep 12th 2009 by jerry fisher
33. There are many different reasons a car can overheat. To help you diagnose it without being able to see or drive it myself, little details are very important. When does it overheat? in traffic or going down the road? Does turning the heater on high help cool it down? Is the car leaking anything? When the car is warm and running, make sure your cooling fan is running. Do you smell anything inside or outside the car the smells burnt or sweet? Todays engines need high-quality antifreeze/coolant due to their construction. Most engines are bi-metal, having aluminum heads and cast iron blocks, and many use plastic radiator tanks with copper, aluminum, or some alloy primarily designed to be cheap. Running the old plain coolant doesn't offer the corrosion protection necessary to keep these systems from getting eaten from the inside out. On any car newer than a late 80/early 90, spend the extra couple dollars on good anti-corrosion coolant. That being said, there is a great resource here:
http://www.automedia.com/Radiator_and_Cooling_System_Flush/ccr20050901rf/1
for cooling and other repair questions.
Posted at 4:42PM on Sep 18th 2009 by carnuted