95 Overheating only in winter..Help or Suggestions PLEASE

[bobasinbob]

I've got the weirdest problem.

My 1995 Cutless Supreme has started overheating since it's been getting cold. It NEVER did this throughout the summer but since the weather's gotten colder it does it every time I drive.

Here's some background:
I drive 2.5 - 3KM to work. Both on the way there and on the way home the temperature will go up into the red. I've managed to put the car in park and rev it (at stoplights) and the temp will drop a bit.

This morning it went into the red and the little light on the dash came on and then afterwards it suddenly shot down to under 100. A few minutes later it was above 100 but never went into the red again (I had reached work).

It's a lot of stop and go traffic where I travel but it's only overheating in the winter. I've tried running without the heat on but that makes no difference. Ran the heat on high and that made no difference. Tried heat on cold still no difference. Even turned on the air (which doesn't work) and it just blows out air and doesn't make a difference.

I've had it to a mechanic and he got the front fans (airconditioner and other) to come on with his little gadget and nothing showed on his readouts.

Any suggestions or help is MUCH appreciated. I'm at the point where I'm reluctant to spend much more money in the car. Just a few weeks ago the gas tank had to be replaced, the head gaskets have been done twice, brakes once.

My only thought is the rad. Since I'm a car dummy I can only think it's never been flushed since I've had the car (3 years) and maybe, just a small ray of hope that's it. Of course flushing a rad is a couple hundred dollars and if it's slim to none that's it I don't want to spend it if I don't have to.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this long winded post but I'm at a loss as to what to do.

[GTP Dad]

Change the thermostat. It sounds like it is sticking shut and causing the car to overheat. If it were anything else the car would not heat up so fast. Per your description when it dropped it never got hot again, then the thermostat operated properly.

[bobasinbob]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Change the thermostat. It sounds like it is sticking shut and causing the car to overheat. If it were anything else the car would not heat up so fast. Per your description when it dropped it never got hot again, then the thermostat operated properly.

Well it would seem luck is against me. Yesterday afternoon on the way home from work the car overheated then shot down and the car leaked. The engine coolant was gone.

I took it to a mechanic and it was the water pump. They say that it would make sense if when I'm stopped at a light, put the car in park and rev and the temp drops if the water pump wasn't working properly it was giving it some type of jolt to keep working.

Does this sound plausible?

They changed the water pump and so far (with fingers crossed) it hasn't overheated again. I'm just wondering if this is a band aid type solution and it's something bigger. Or maybe my luck has changed and it is the problem.

[GTP Dad]

The repair was a plausible solution to the problem. If the waterpump was not working correctly then it would stand to reason that the car would overheat. You may still want to change the thermostat just to be on the safe side.

[bobasinbob]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

The repair was a plausible solution to the problem. If the waterpump was not working correctly then it would stand to reason that the car would overheat. You may still want to change the thermostat just to be on the safe side.

This may sound strange but is it easy to change a thermostat in a car? Is it easily accessible for someone without many tools in their collection?

[GTP Dad]

What size engine do you have? Some engines are easier than others.

[bobasinbob]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

What size engine do you have? Some engines are easier than others.

I think it's a 3.1.

[GTP Dad]

The 3.1 is easy to change. It is right in front and can be changed with a few hand tools. Just make sure you get all the air out of the system when you are done. If you have a radiator cap just leave it open until the thermostat opens. The coolant level will drop, simply fill it up put the cap back on and fill the reservoir.

A couple of suggestions: 1. Make sure you get the mating surfaces for the gasket clean. 2. Don't overtighten the thermostat housing. 3. If the upper hose is old then replace it while you have the radiator drained down.