96 Grand AM runnng hot when..

[Derek44]

Just put a new radiator in my Grand Am SE. When I am on the highway, it runs perfect. When I am in traffic, driving around town. Stop and start. It runs hot. Then when I get home I can here the gargling sound coming from the resovior tank, like it ready to explode. Some fluid actually seeps out, its so hot. Any ideas what may be wrong? Thanks

[GTP Dad]

It sounds like you have air in the system. If you have a cap on the radiator remove it and start the car. When the engine gets hot the thermostat will open and allow the fluid level to drop. Also turn the heater on high to get the air out of the heater. If you don't have a radiator cap, look for the bleeder on top of the thermostat housing open it and the air will come out repeat as needed until all you get is coolant. Refill and the noise and overheating should go away.

[wlkjr]

Make sure the fan is running also. They are prone to going bad. Usually if the AC is on, the fan should be running.

[Airjer_]

If it has a bleeder on the waterpump bypass pipe it would be a good idea to open that one as well while you purge the air out.

[Derek44]

Update!



GA_googleFillSlot("Forums_ROS_300x250_noad");Just put a new radiator in my Grand Am SE. When I am on the highway, it runs perfect. When I am in traffic, driving around town. Stop and start. It runs hot. Then when I get home I can here the gargling sound coming from the resovior tank, like it ready to explode. Some fluid actually seeps out, its so hot. Any ideas what may be wrong? Thanks

Still not fixed. I have got it down to.......when the heat is on or the defrost is on. It runs real hot, gargling and all. As soon as I turn the heat or defrost off, temp goes down and the gargling subsides. Being in the cold weather , not good. All I have been doing is feeding the radiator coolent. Its getting out of hand. I have taken it to a shop. Still nothing. Any ideas. Thanks

[GTP Dad]

It sounds like you have a leak in the system. It is possible that the heater core is leaking and because the drain is behind the engine you may not see the coolant leaking out. I would do a pressure test on the system to see what is going on. The test can be easily done and should show you a leak if there is one. Finally it is possible that the water pump is going bad. Although it is not leaking externally you may have an internal problem with the impeller.