malibu overheating

[can'tgetright]

I have a 2000 chevy malibu with 3.1 and it is overheating. I had a leak earlier and a mechanic said leak was at intake manifold. So replace intake manifold was leaking around sensor on manifold. Also change water pump, thermostat change temperature sensor on manifold and flush the radiator. The temperature guage still climbs up if I turn the defroster on and force the fan to run it does cool the engine, but i would like to get it to run normal. Any suggestions?????

[bcopeland]

Did you replace the manifold gasket yourself or have someone else do it? You need to make sure that you put good RTV on it.

[bearcatdon]

Originally Posted by can'tgetright

i would like to get it to run normal. Any suggestions?????

What do you consider normal? The 3.1 runs high on the gauge. Normal highway temp is about 1/2 way and the fan doesn't kick in until it get at least to 3/4 or approx. 220 deg.

[bcopeland]

I won't say the 3.1 runs high. I will say that it is normal for the guage to rise above the midpoint and sometimes 2 - 3 clicks above and lower when you start running. That is quite normal. But when it rises above 3/4 point, then you may have a probklem. Don't rely on that Dexcool. I just flushed my 99 after 2 years of the stuff and prefer to so so often. But please change the Dexcool often. 5 years and you risk damage.

[tcorbin8673]

My friend, you and I have precisly the same problem. A nearby mechanic wanted to swap the motor (!) for 1,500 smackers. I'm looking for a different mechanic. Did the head gasket change really help? Was it expensive?

[bcopeland]

Yu talking to me? I would say it helped, but the rough running I have been told is due to a slightly warped camshaft.