why is my car over-heating!

[bridget36907]

As some of you know-my 97 aurora is overheating...I have replaced the thermostat and flushed the radiator and engine. but the temperature still rises. it will get into the red if ilet it but i stop and let it cool...sometimes the coolant is backing out of the reservoir.


there is no water in the oil..so i am thinking (hopefully) it is not the headgasket.

so much water backs out that the low-coolant light comeson sometimes...then i have to top it off.

when i am driving if i stay around 60-65 or below then no problems (unless i am siting in traffic) but if i go above that speed then the temp will continually rise into the red.

The fan works,, I even hot wired it to have it on all the time..but that did not solve the problem..what could it be..the water pump seems week as it was not pumping out strong when i was flushing the engine.

what do you think my problem is? thanks

[bridget36907]

also how can you tell if the radiator is bad?

[bridget36907]

one last thing..when i flushed the radiator...I ran the engine while letting water flow through and out..

i put a hose in the coolant reservoir and unplugged the radiator and let it flush with the heater wide open...I turned the hose off and let everything drain from the radiator....It's suppose to take 13 quarts right but it onlt took about 6....why? is there air in the system or did my way of flushing leave water in? thanks

[Sweet William]

Simple/obvious things first, is the water pump belt good?

[GTP Dad]

Make sure you got all the air out of the system. Sometimes they will get air locked and will the water
pump will not pump water properly. Also, check the radiator to see if it is getting hot all the way down. If not it could be blocked. You can test it by simply putting your hand on the coils while the car is running. Make sure to disconnect the fans first. Also make sure the fans are running while you are driving. This is especially important when driving at city speeds. If they are coming on at the proper time then the air in the system would be my first guess on the problem.

If your car has a radiator cap, which it should, remove the cap and start the car. If there is air in the system the air should work its way out while the cap is off. Simply refill, replace the cap and drive away. If there is no air in the system then you may have to look elsewhere.

[The Rebel]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Make sure you got all the air out of the system. Sometimes they will get air locked and will the water
pump will not pump water properly. Also, check the radiator to see if it is getting hot all the way down. If not it could be blocked. You can test it by simply putting your hand on the coils while the car is running. Make sure to disconnect the fans first. Also make sure the fans are running while you are driving. This is especially important when driving at city speeds. If they are coming on at the proper time then the air in the system would be my first guess on the problem.

If your car has a radiator cap, which it should, remove the cap and start the car. If there is air in the system the air should work its way out while the cap is off. Simply refill, replace the cap and drive away. If there is no air in the system then you may have to look elsewhere.

Great advice GTP Dad
I tell all my customers, I cannot diagnose over the phone, to come in, so we can check out the problem while the car is in the shop! As far as what you have been told by me on another post you posted, and by others, If you are doing the work your self to save money then go ahead and do the simple stuff. example: getting the air out of the system etc. I also told you in another post not to let the temp get in the RED. As far as water pump see if there is excess water on the ground. Also, a shop will take the radiator out and rod it out. They will be able to tell if its shot. If your going to do the radiator job yourself check the Yellow Pages for A radiator shop that will Rod it out.

[protek22]

Anyone with an overheating Aurora, should look at the worst case first, not last. You can waste a lot of time and money this way. Aurora head gaskets are commonly caused by loose head bolts, so they usually don't exhibit the classic symptoms such as water in the oil, steam in the exhaust, etc. You should check the recent overheating threads for additional advice.

[bridget36907]

thanks i plan on getting it checked.