Thread: Overheating all suddenly.

Well, to start off, I have 300,000 Org miles trans and motor... I have replaced the water pump Thermostat has been removed for a few years now. new Radiator. Ect the whole 10 yards. in the last few years.

I was crusing 90-105mph. On i55 for quite a few miles. all sudden from 100-110 degrees spiked to 210 in mins. then 260. Open the Rad. Nothing but AIR no water/coolant. What was left was in the reservoir Cap popped off. Bleeding everywhere. This has done this 3 times. i just top it off bleed it and good to go. for about a month or two. But this time its gotten worst. The oil is clean. Not a trace of water or milky. I have not done a compression test. I'm about 88+ miles from it as of now.. I'm leaning towards a head gasket it. But theres no water in the tailpipe or smoke or coolant smell, Only time it ever smokes is when your really push on it it will burn black, in theory Black smoke for too much gasoline or not enough air....

I do not have the start-up smoke will look thick and blue, Nor smoke when warmed up will still be white until oil burning .. So i'm good there. I have this funky looking radiator cap. With a pressure release tab. I'm wondering if that caused to go bad? I also have gotten a shorter belt I deleted the A/C since i never use it with the sunroof always open. And that's when the REAL issue started.

Soon as i changed belts i had the problem then.. But none the less. I Bleed it, Crack both valves til it comes out. of the T-stat housing. Plug it all back up. run it. it's good for a bit. I also noticed. If i start it. let it warm up the temp gauge will rise quick. just sitting there idle it has hit 260 at idle i ran inside and was doing something. gave it some Revs it drops back to 110* So i'm really lost for words. What is causing it. A blown head gasket. or just a Radiator cap. or the belt not doing enough being short. Worst over heating was over 260* it touched the 10mph mark. So i'm leaning now towards a head gasket. But i also have heard theses are Strong built motors.. With 300,000 miles.

With the shorter belt, the water pump isnt going backwards now is it?

depends on which side of the belt is touching it. one side will be same as crank other side is opposite.

Originally Posted by HighOctaneRacing

There is no reason to touch the head gaskets and even if they have 300k on them, leave them alone.

LIM gaskets are known to fail and leak coolant into the engine. I'd replace those with the revised aluminum gaskets instead of the crappy plastic ones since you've never done them.

Also you didnt specify exactly which motor you have

Since this is the 3100 Section 3.1, LOL i have a 3.1.. I'm going to do a compression test and a Radiator Pressure test. What ever the cause blown head/LIM... I'm going to go ahead pick this up.
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/4678891457.html Really couldn't beat the deal. But. I am unsure if the 284 will mate to it, because long the line i want to do the 5spd swap. Since the 3.1 Trans is getting weak at 300K... It depends on the temp and time of day to pick 4th "od" i'm honestly surprised... With me beating the piss out of it. for years. it has made it to 300K But back on the same token back to trans. What fits the 3800? or will i forever be doomed with the Auto. And is there a Shift kit.

also the 284 fits, but there is a LOT of custom work and fab involved, it won't bolt right into the chassis or use the same axles IIRC.

Don't touch the head gaskets and don't swap in a 3100. What does your oil look like?

He's in the 3.1 section, does that give you a clue? LOL.

Ohhh.. If you have a 3.1 Headgaskets wouldn't be a bad idea, they were semi-common issues in the 3100s, never an issue in 3800s lol.

Well then all the power to ya. Lol

what a waste putting it behind a 3.1 though... might as well swap in the 3800 or l67 while your working your ass off on a grocery getter :-)

Oh, I just assumed he'd put it behind a L67!