Luminca Overheating.

[Holley23]

I need some help. I don't know very much about cars. I have taken my car in four times because it has been overheating, and it still hasn't been fixed properly. The first time they replaced the thermostat. Then they replaced some sensor that tells the fan to come on. It was still broken, and they said it wasn't the water pump because it wasn't losing pressure. They said they didn't know what it was. So I took it somewhere else. They said it was a valve that was blocked or a valve that some older Chevy's were made without that didn't let air circulate properly. Then it was still broken. So the last time I took it in they said that the thermostat was hung. The first people didn't install it properly. So I got my car back yesterday all excited because I thought finally my car was going to be fixed. On the way to work this morning, it overheated. What is wrong? What could it be? And how I am supposed to find someone who can fix it right the first time?

[jeffcoslacker]

First thing is to verify proper coolant level, and purge all air from the cooling system. once this is established, proper thermostat operation should be checked next. If the themostat operates properly and it still heats up, fan operation, or restriction in the system should be investigated. If the 'stat, fan, and flow are good, bad head gasket or other problem is indicated. On rare occasions I've seen the impeller come off the shaft in the water pump, which can drive a troubleshooter nuts!! It appears that the thermostat is not working because there is no coolant flow, but a new one, or even removing it entirely changes nothing. I think you have a problem that I would actually have to see in person to diagnose. It sounds like the shops or mechanics you've been going to are yankin' your chain, though. You need to take it to a certified shop, possibly even a dealer if you are going to get a correct fix.

[j_p_lockwood]

When I had a problem with overheating, it was initially the radiator, followed by a head gasket failure (caused by the overheating). I've noticed myself that purging air from the cooling system can take a looooong time, and if the mechanic was impatient he might not have waited until all the air was out. Just don't let it get into the red otherwise you'll definitely have a head gasket failure, and they're not easy or cheap to fix.

[richtazz]

I would check flow in the radiator first. unless you install it upside down, you can't put a t-stat in wrong in a 3.1, the housing wouldn't go back on, so that guy was jerking your chain. If it was installed backward, the car would have overheated very quickly. I have no idea what valve he's talking about, unless he means the bleed valves that 3.1's have. Depending on the year of the car, some have 2, one on the t-stat housing, 1 on the transfer tube. Some only have the 1 on the t-stat housing. Go with Jeff's advice and take it to a competent shop, because the people you've dealt with so far have no clue.

[86TATpi]

Definity get the radiator checked. They'd be able to tell if it's plugged up by checking the temp. across the radiator. I'd also check the condition of the hoses. I know of some cars that the hoses will collapse due to pressure and age and block off cooling systems. And like Jeff said, make sure it's full and that it was bled. Since whoever worked on your car seemed to now know what was going on, make sure the fan is kicking on. You can have the sensor changed once a day and if you have a wire problem it won't do any good.