95 Voyager overheats

[waynek2004]

Hello folks. Need some advise. 95 Voyager 3.3 v6 started running hot. Pushes the coolant into the overflow resivor and never pulls it back. I have replaced the radiator cap, thermostat and checked the water pump I installed about 6mos ago. The water pump is fine. Seems like its internal to the engine. Maybe a gasket or worse.

Any known history of problems like this with the 3.3?

Thanks for your experience.
WK

[theFREAKnasty82]

have the cooling system flushed to clean out any gunks or crap.

[yogi_123rd]

Your basic stupid questions:
1. When you notice it overheats, is the engine is running or do you just notice the back flow into the overflow bucket after you shut off the engine? That is normal - the engine is hot and no circulation so it overflows. It does get sucked back when it cools.
2. Do you notice the problem is only in the first 5 minutes of startup - as if the thermostat could be either sticking or installed backwards?
3. Are the cooling fans on trying to cool the engine and the temperature keeps rising?

If the cooling fans are working, the thermostat is known good and the the temperature still rises while the engine is running, it sounds like a hot spot from a blown head gasket superheating the water. Check for oil in the water, or water in the oil (milky whiteness).

[jgillis]

when u replaced the water pump was it because it was getting hot?
sounds to me like exhaust Pressurizing the coolant sysyem which would point to a head gasket maybe.

[caravandrvr]

I'd venture to say your radiator is flawed and needs replacement. Although it could be a clog somewhere in the block causing "hot spots", it is more likely it is a clogged/gunked up radiator. If you have indeed changed the parts listed, I'd pull the radiator and take it to a shop or just replace the darn thing.

[HeadlessHorseman]

The quickest, easiest and least expensive thing to do is replace the thermostat. Make sure the pointed end of the thermostat is placed in the upright position, aimed downstream toward the radiator. Flush the radiator and backflush the heater core while you're at it. It's all good.

[waynek2004]

Originally Posted by caravandrvr

I'd venture to say your radiator is flawed and needs replacement. Although it could be a clog somewhere in the block causing "hot spots", it is more likely it is a clogged/gunked up radiator. If you have indeed changed the parts listed, I'd pull the radiator and take it to a shop or just replace the darn thing.

Thanks for the suggestion but I have already tried that. I'm pretty sure it is going to be a blown head gasket or worse. I don't have an indoor building to put it in so I have to wait for warmer weather to tear it down.

[waynek2004]

Originally Posted by yogi_123rd

Your basic stupid questions:
1. When you notice it overheats, is the engine is running or do you just notice the back flow into the overflow bucket after you shut off the engine? That is normal - the engine is hot and no circulation so it overflows. It does get sucked back when it cools.

It over heats when its running. The guage will spike hot then if I slow down it will come back down some. It pushes the water out when its running.

2. Do you notice the problem is only in the first 5 minutes of startup - as if the thermostat could be either sticking or installed backwards?

Its not the thermostat. I installed a new one and its in the correct position.

3. Are the cooling fans on trying to cool the engine and the temperature keeps rising?

The fans run after a while and when it overheats they run continously.

If the cooling fans are working, the thermostat is known good and the the temperature still rises while the engine is running, it sounds like a hot spot from a blown head gasket superheating the water. Check for oil in the water, or water in the oil (milky whiteness).

I notice a small amount of water or condensttion in the valve cover when I pulled it off. The oil isn't milky though. However, I'm prety sure its a head gasket or worse. Started tearing it down yesterday and today its raining and snowing. So the fix will have to wait.

Thanks for the advise.

[waynek2004]

Originally Posted by jgillis

when u replaced the water pump was it because it was getting hot?
sounds to me like exhaust Pressurizing the coolant sysyem which would point to a head gasket maybe.

I replaced the water pump a few of months ago because the bearing was real noisy.

I'm thinking its the head gasket too. I'll know pretty soon.

[waynek2004]

Originally Posted by HeadlessHorseman

The quickest, easiest and least expensive thing to do is replace the thermostat. Make sure the pointed end of the thermostat is placed in the upright position, aimed downstream toward the radiator. Flush the radiator and backflush the heater core while you're at it. It's all good.

Thanks I tried all of the above. No help. I tried K&W block sealer and it seemed to work for about half a day. Then it overheated again. I'm tearing down the top of the engine next.