overheating 96 3.1 Lumina

[Scott G.]

I have a 96 3.1 Lumina.It is overheating and does not have any heat inside the car.The upper rad. hose is hot but the lower hose is cold.Also the heater hoses are cold.I would think if it was the thermostat I would still have heat inside the car.Fluid levels are full in both the rad. and the overflow jug.I suspect the water pump but have never seen a bad impeller or broken shaft.Would appreciate any help.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Scott G.

I have a 96 3.1 Lumina.It is overheating and does not have any heat inside the car.The upper rad. hose is hot but the lower hose is cold.Also the heater hoses are cold.I would think if it was the thermostat I would still have heat inside the car.Fluid levels are full in both the rad. and the overflow jug.I suspect the water pump but have never seen a bad impeller or broken shaft.Would appreciate any help.

this is usually insufficient coolant are you sure you are good to -40deg f. wisconsin is next to alaska for cold weather. also it is possible you have too much coolant this will cause the same type symptoms you have...............i know a guy in milwaukee who had a leak and just kept adding coolant at -5deg f engine overheated................it also could be the belt is not turning the water pump ha ha...

[Tinman238]

How many miles on the car?

[Scott G.]

Originally Posted by Tinman238

How many miles on the car?

220,000 miles

[Tinman238]

The problem could be a clogged radiator, since the upper hose gets hot, but not the lower. Can you see scale and buid-up in the radiator when you remove the cap? (when the engine is cold, of course) If the car hasn't had the cooling system flushed once in a while, that may be the problem. If its not the radiator, and you're sure the thermostat is good, my guess would be the water pump. Make sure the lower hose hasn't collapsed, also.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Tinman238

The problem could be a clogged radiator, since the upper hose gets hot, but not the lower. Can you see scale and buid-up in the radiator when you remove the cap? (when the engine is cold, of course) If the car hasn't had the cooling system flushed once in a while, that may be the problem. If its not the radiator, and you're sure the thermostat is good, my guess would be the water pump. Make sure the lower hose hasn't collapsed, also.

because he has no heat coming out the heater, thermostat isn't causing overheating. it is possible besides what i already stated that the water pump impeller is bad or as you suggested coolant system sludged. mixing of dex cool and silicate coolant will do this .........

[nascartony05]

Thermostat could be stuck open, or it could be a wore out water pump.