'97 Cavalier, overheating

[MamatoShelbyLou]

Hello, we have a 1997 Cavalier and it has been overheating on us. We replaced a radiator hose about 2 weeks ago. Then we replaced the thermostat this morning. It is still overheating on us though. Any ideas?

[noshun]

Originally Posted by MamatoShelbyLou

Hello, we have a 1997 Cavalier and it has been overheating on us. We replaced a radiator hose about 2 weeks ago. Then we replaced the thermostat this morning. It is still overheating on us though. Any ideas?

warm the car Feel the top hose coming from the rad to the block! If it get's hot ok, you can squeeze it a little too to see if you can feel coolant flowing thru it. If no to both then it could be the water pump. Is the fan cutting in at all? If not it's probably the switch, which bolts into the block and uses a bi-metal switch to activate the fan at a given temp! check the fron of the rad for obstuction or heavy soiling. Also check inside the oil filler cap for a creamy mayo like substance! If you have it then tyou have water getting into your cumbustion chambers, this can also be diagnosed by a sweet smelling white smoke from the exhaust! If you have these then it's probably the head gasket. Check the fron right hand corner of the engine where the head meets the block for a leak.

[amoriginal]

hi. i have a 96 cavalier. my coolant light came on a week ago and i had my fluids checked, and he said they were fine. than all of a sudden i looked down at my gages and it was at (H). we figured it was a hose but they couldn't find any holes or leaks. They replaced my thermostat cuz they thaught it was that but it still kept overheating than they found that my heater core was plugged so they unplugged it. But its still over heating. I'm haveing the same problem as you if you find anything out let me know!!!! THANKS

[noshun]

Originally Posted by amoriginal

hi. i have a 96 cavalier. my coolant light came on a week ago and i had my fluids checked, and he said they were fine. than all of a sudden i looked down at my gages and it was at (H). we figured it was a hose but they couldn't find any holes or leaks. They replaced my thermostat cuz they thaught it was that but it still kept overheating than they found that my heater core was plugged so they unplugged it. But its still over heating. I'm haveing the same problem as you if you find anything out let me know!!!! THANKS

did you check the oil cap as outlined above?

[HeadlessHorseman]

Radiators are designed to let air flow all the way through them, so if you cannot actually see through the radiator, it might be wasted. The best way to test this is to use a hand mirror and a flashlight to look through the entire radiator from the inside out.

Pay particular attention to the bottom corners of the radiator... that's where Cav radiators usually blow out. For what it's worth, we bought a brand new radiator at:

http://www.radiatorbarn.com

Obviously, a plugged up radiator will cause overheating. Our replacement radiator for a 1991 Cav cost us $109, which included shipping.