Please Help! Overheating!

[95supreme]

I recently bought a 95 cutlass supreme. 3.1 V6.
The engine is running hot, and it seems that the fans aren't always working.
There's enough coolant, and the radiator is new.

If the car is being used for only a few hours, it's not noticable. However, after using the car for about 8 hours, I started to smell the heat coming off the engine.
Also, the engine loses its power and seems that it has no excelleration when the motor's too hot. The temp guage reads a little high, but out of the danger zone.

So, is it my thermostat, my radiator fan, both, or something else totally different?

I'm also wondering if it's an electrical problem too. After the car's been running for about an hour, the ABS light comes on.
Also, the fog light switch indicator is on, but the lights themselves don't turn on.

I've only had the car a few days, and haven't had the chance to check the fuses or relays under the hood yet. I hope it's something that simple!

Needless to say, I would probably have more problems if it was summer, instead of -5c in winter!

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[89calais]

Well , IF just may be that the thermostat is bad. You could have a grinding water pump or the heater core unit may be frozen. DO you get heat ? Do you hear any squealing sounds from under the hood or grinding noises of metal ? Thermostats are cheap and the gasket for the thermostat housing is even cheaper , go with that first. Oh , Check your dipstick as well , see if you have any white mucus on the oil level indicator or any part , You may have bad head gaskets and the over heating would result from the high friction and lack of proper lubrication..happened in a subaru XT6 I owned one time. Hope that helps some.

[madman_9]

And if you turn your a/c on if the fans come on they work. The fans in my car (94 3100 cutlass) about 225 or so.



Madman

[95supreme]

Well, unfortunately my a/c doesn't work. But, I think my problem is the thermostat. I'll replace it soon, and post the results here. Thanks for your advice.

[89calais]

If you live in a warm climate area , I recommend just taking it out and never putting one back in. Prolongs engine life , allows it to run about 30% cooler ( less engine wear and gas consumption. ) Smoother over all =)