Thread: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23
  1. #1 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    First of all. I am a mom that is trying to get our Grand Prix up and running to par. I have this wonderful car that we've had for years. It's a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L V-6 with about 180,000 miles on it. Lately its been running very hot. Just sitting idle, she's running barely under the red. I've replaced the temp sensor, temp gauge as well as the Coolant sensor and its still running way to hot. The fan is kicking in, but not until its barely under the red mark. I know its full of coolant and there are no leaks anywhere in the entire system. The water pump isn't leaking or showing any signs of unusual noises. Any clues as to what to look for or check next? Thanks for any helpful tips or suggestions!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Coldwater, OH
    Posts
    15,758
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Have you flushed the coolant system?
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    GXP Level Member ctracer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    new britain, ct
    Posts
    2,295
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    it might be just a gunked up radiator, your car has quite a bit of miles on it. before you go checking into other big things, i would do a coolant system flush just to get all that old stuff outta there.
    07 Black GXP.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Had it flushed last year.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Coldwater, OH
    Posts
    15,758
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Did they put the green or orange coolant back in it and what did it have before?
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Green before and green now.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    GrandPrix Junkie ItHurtz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Antioch, IL
    Posts
    3,522
    Thanks (Received)
    4
    Likes (Received)
    17
    Dislikes (Received)
    2
    tstat
    2000 GTPT Sold-brandonhall10 built trans
    2009 Challenger SRT8
    http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...uestion.....no
    Expert at being gay.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Coldwater, OH
    Posts
    15,758
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    try using your garden hose and spray backwards through the rad. The fins could be gunked up with years of junk on them
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    WIll try that. Thanks!!!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    GrandPrix Junkie ItHurtz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Antioch, IL
    Posts
    3,522
    Thanks (Received)
    4
    Likes (Received)
    17
    Dislikes (Received)
    2
    question is, does it run hot while driving or just at idle
    2000 GTPT Sold-brandonhall10 built trans
    2009 Challenger SRT8
    http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...uestion.....no
    Expert at being gay.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #11 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    It runs hot as well. About 235ish while she's running down the interstate. Higher sitting at stop lights or sitting idle...
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #12 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    GrandPrix Junkie The Guz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Lawndale, CA
    Posts
    3,007
    Thanks (Received)
    3
    Likes (Received)
    9
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by ITHURTZ View Post
    tstat
    You should also look into this as well.
    1999 GP GT 18" Boss 353 Concave|SLP CAI|Borla Cat Back|Plog|HV3|HV TB|ER Rockers|Custom Retrofit Projectors|GMPP Lowering|GMPP Handling|MPD F1|Full Diode Dynamic LEDs
    Reply With Quote  
     

  13. #13 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rogers, MN
    Posts
    21,022
    Thanks (Received)
    21
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Did you happen to bleed the air out of the cooling system after you replace the temp sensor and others?

    I just have a hunch that you just have alot of air in the cooling system and its causing it to run hot.

    SMGPFC Member #1
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #14 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I did bleed the air out.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  15. #15 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member wavedout33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    oklahoma
    Posts
    88
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    when's the last time the hoses were replaced? wondering if maybe the hoses are collapsing?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  16. #16 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member Bessesen2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Livonia,MI
    Posts
    90
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    damn grand prixs are always having problems....cant get rid of it though i love it too mch
    1999 Grand Prix GTP. 157xxx miles and climbing everyday.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  17. #17 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I don't know that the hoses have ever been replaced. Unless they are collapsing while I'm driving (and can't see it) they are fine. Checked them while reving the engine and setting idle...

    Isn't that right Bessesen2! Love our Grand Prix. Sexy car with muscle and dang good gas mileage! It's been a great car with very few problems. With as many miles as it has on it, I'd say we've definately gotten our money worth out of the old girl. I know she'll still be a good car if we can just figure out this overheating issue...
    Reply With Quote  
     

  18. #18 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,815
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    if the hoses are collapsing under pressure, then you would need a radiator cap, which can also cause a car to run hot. Because then it's not under pressure etc.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

  19. #19 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    GrandPrix Junkie PurpleGuy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Never Never Land
    Posts
    4,864
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    10
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Check the fins on the radiator. They could be bent up from rocks etc hitting them. Does it blow hot air? Could
    jave a gunked up heater core.
    I know you said there isn't any leaks but are you for sure the lower intake gaskets dont leak? Have the ever been replaced?
    2001 Regal GS, PLOG, 3" DP, 1.9's/L76 springs. 21* of timing on a 3.4"
    Reply With Quote  
     

  20. #20 Re: 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,815
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    condensor is in front of the radiator. Fins on the condensor would be the ones to check.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 05 Grand Prix GTP...car overheating/ not heat from heaters
    By Rileys05GTP in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-19-2012, 02:08 AM
  2. 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Overheating
    By britnyh08 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-03-2011, 04:18 PM
  3. Overheating Grand Prix
    By mhartwig in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 11-02-2010, 11:14 AM
  4. Grand prix GT 1998 Overheating
    By GrandPrixGT98 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-11-2010, 07:07 PM
  5. 96 grand prix overheating issue
    By Nuzzget in forum 3.1L V6 (LHO/LG8)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-10-2009, 12:37 AM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •