Overheating.....again.

[cajun98]

The kid's '02 GP SE with 3.1 has been overheating. Found the radiator was cracked so replaced. I replaced head, LIM, and UIM gaskets about a year ago. Oil and coolant look fine. I've completed the radiator replacement, filled with coolant, bleed the air multiple times and am still have overheat issues. I just drove it about 3 miles, up to 50 mph, and the temp stayed right at 180 degrees. It then starts creeping up and ends up almost in the red. When I popped the hood, the overflow was bubbling like crazy. When I go to bleed again, all I'm getting out of the bleeders is steam. There's still coolant in the system. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Scottydoggs]

sounds like the head gasket blew again.

[BillBoost37]

Pressure test the cap. I've seen caps go bad, boiling point is lower and before the fans kick on..you are boiling

[cajun98]

I don't think its the head gasket. No fuel in coolant. I just topped the radiator off, again. Drove for about 4 miles and the temp stayed right at 180 and then when I got up to about 65mph, the temp shot up to almost redline in a matter of about 10 seconds. Was able to drive home with the temp around 240. This is driving me nuts.

[Scottydoggs]

when a head gasket blows it can either eat coolant and spit it out the tail pipe. or push exhaust gas into the coolant and make it over heat and blow the coolant out of the rad cap.

rad cap off and warmed up, rev the engine, when you let off the gas watch inside the rad for bubbles to form inside. if so blown head gasket.

[BillBoost37]

Also check for flow. Maybe the pump is having an issue. I have seen a couple where the impeller was freewheeling on the shaft.

[cajun98]

Thanks for the input, guys. I've had it idling in the drive for 45 minutes and temp is fine. I did notice that there were bubbles coming out of the radiator after I revved the engine. I also noticed bubbling in the overflow tank when the engine is running with the radiator cap on. If the head gasket is blown, this thing is going to the scrap yard. I don't have the time to tear this thing apart again.

[cajun98]

Well, let it idle for 30 minutes with no problem. Took out for test drive and overheated after about 2 miles. As I was turning off the highway, I noticed I had no power steering when I turned. Thought the engine had died but the power steering returned and the suddenly quit a couple more times. I pulled over and there was coolant overflowing from the overflow tank. Would the water pump momentarily seizing up cause the power steering to quit due to the serpentine belt not turning?

[Scottydoggs]

take the belt off spin all the pulleys by hand. the water pump pulley grab it with 2 hands push and pull on it, if it wiggles its shot.

the fans are coming on right?

if the belt got wet with coolant that could cause the steering to fail for a bit.

[cajun98]

Took off the belt and the water pump spins freely. Didn't check for slop. I'll go and check. I'll bet the belt got wet and that was the cause of the steering problem. The fans are coming on too.

[WolvesSoulZ]

Thanks for the input, guys. I've had it idling in the drive for 45 minutes and temp is fine. I did notice that there were bubbles coming out of the radiator after I revved the engine. I also noticed bubbling in the overflow tank when the engine is running with the radiator cap on. If the head gasket is blown, this thing is going to the scrap yard. I don't have the time to tear this thing apart again.

When my front head gasket was shot, it was shooting bubbles in the overflow tank/radiator neck. Would bubble all the time, would overheat until the thermostat magically opened, then it would be okay while driving. Before changing my gasket all I did was drill the thermostat, stick it back on and always check coolant and oil. It burned it in the cyl 3 and 5, never mixed in oil. Would misfire idling too.

That was on a 3.8 though, but those were the symptoms I had on it.

[Scottydoggs]

if you see water circulating in the rad the pumps working.

maybe its time to try some blue devil head gasket sealant.

my 3800 had been pushing coolant out the rad cap for years, had bubbles in the rad too. used blue devil and its all better now.

[cajun98]

Checked for slop in the water pump there was none. I'll look into the Blue Devil and see if that helps. When its overheating, it seems to be blowing all the coolant out of the overflow tank. Is that normal?

[Scottydoggs]

means its boiling over for one reason or another. see if it over heats with no t stat installed. maybe its locked shut?

[Scottydoggs]

blue devils not cheap, its like 60 a bottle. i got mine at advance auto on line, used a discount code and got a nice break on the price. you'll need some new antifreeze when your done with the blue devil, you need to flush it to water t stat out, then idle it for a hour with blue devil in the water, t stat out still. then dump the rad, refill with 1 gallon of straight antifreeze. not the 50/50 pre mixed stuff.

20 minutes in my exhaust smelt better.

[ericspecullaas]

thats a good point scotty its a cheap $5 thats if its the problem.