homeboy

162K miles. Car is overheating. Both fans turn on when they are supposed to turn on. Already replaced thermostat and burped the cooling system. While burping the system, I lifted the front end so the radiator cap was the highest point of the system. It did have some air. I burped it for about an hour, the temp never went above the halfway point on the gauge during this process! Took it for a test drive and started to overheat after about 10 minutes. No leaks, coolant level is maxed out. Did I not burp it enough or is it a water pump issue? Usually water pumps are bad when they leak. Could the pump be bad with no leak? I think the pump being bad is highly unlikely. Has anyone had this problem before? Just want to eliminate as much as possible before I decide to take it in to the stealership (I mean dealership). I also don't want to replace the water pump unless I absolutely have to do it. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

po8pimp

if it was the pump, then it should leak. That is typically the sign of a bad pump. have you looked at your oil? check your oil and see if it is milky in color or if it smells different than it should, which is a gasoline smell. What is happening to the coolant level? does it drop, are there leaks? Also when you did the burping, did you turn on your heat inside the car?

homeboy

Oil looks clean. No water in it. Coolant level remains constant. No leaks that I can see.

po8pimp

So what is your indication of it overheating?

homeboy

Temp gauge rises steadily. I shut it down before it max out.

po8pimp

how is your transmission? I know this sounds crazy, but depending on your transmission it could get cooling from the radiator and if it is overheating, then it could in turn make your engine overheat. That is one possibility. Sounds like if might be one of those dealer only things. I don't have my manual right here with me. Give me a couple hours and I will check when I get home. I think there might be temp sensors you can check, but I am not positive.

homeboy

I appreciate that. Thanks

po8pimp

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?8d0jf6x6hc19myc Here is a pic that has what I think is the cause. I think your coolant temp sensor is going into failsafe which is giving you the indications you are receiving. There are ways to check this using the service manual. Hope this helps.

homeboy

Turned out the radiator was plugged. Not much room in there for anything but coolant. Word to the wise. Don't use tap water in your radiator even though it's soft water. Used distilled water only.

smplyamzng

Glad you got it resolved. This is useful info