1996 regal overheating problem!!!!

[gunner_69]

I'm having an issue with my car overheating. Last year I lived in Washington State and my car was overheating. The repair shop finally narrowed down my problem to the intake manifold gasket. The gasket was replaced and I also got a new radiator, new thermostat, new hoses and new water pump. I recently moved to San Antonio and now I'm starting to have the same issues. I am also losing fluid somewhere???? There are no signs of leaking from hoses and no signs of coolant in my oil. The only things I haven't replaced are the radiator cap and the heat sensor. could either of those be causing this problem?? I'm also getting ready to change my coolant so I can increase the mixture ratio to about 75% coolant / 25% water. I'm hoping that helps too. Anybody have any other ideas??? Thanks.

[HotZ28]

I know how hot it gets in San Antonio, I lived there for 10 yrs! (Windcrest area). Have you checked the operation of the fans? The radiator cap could cause overheating if it is not holding the designed pressure. You could also have a leak in the intake manifold, sucking coolant into the combustion chamber. Have a radiator pressure test done ASAP.

[gunner_69]

Thanks for the assist. I did change the radiator cap tonight and flushed out my system. I looked at the fans and it seems to be working alright. However, the fan doesn't seem to come on until it gets pretty hot. I did notice though, that when it gets hot, only one fan comes on. The other wont come on until I turn on my A/C. I hope that's normal??? I also noticed that water doesn't seem to be circulating properly so I'm looking at changing my thermostat again. This will be the 5th one in about a year. I guess we'll see. Again, thanks.

[tomogchi]

Its not just you. The fans on the Regal, atleast the 3.8 liter, do not have the fans turn on untill ~210 degrees. I always thought that was a wee-bit on the warm side, but its stayed like that since they intruduced the electronic fans.

Did you ever see or smell Maple syrup in or around your car? (or something sweet). I think maybe you or someone before you used Bars' Stop-leak or something to that extent, and its clogging the cooling process.... And that may be part of the reason to why your going through thermostat's so fast. When you replace the thermostat, look at it. Do you see anything out of the ordinary, such as the a grayish beads or slivers of metal? (other than the color of coolent on it).

Maybe, thats just my .02
Bill

[gunner_69]

Well I'm not quite sure how this all works but I replaced my radiator cap and drained my coolant. I replaced the coolant with a 70 / 30 mixture and I'm no longer losing fluid. go figure??? Guess I'll just keep an eye on it from now on. Thanks to you guys for providing some ideas. I do appreciate it.