98 Firebird close to overheating

[nmn54]

First, it's a V6 98 Firebird with over 100,000 miles on it. I've recently had my coolant changed and flushed the radiator, but did not replace the thermostat.

The car usually runs with the guage sitting around 180 the entire time I drive it. Now, it will start off below and by the time I get to school it will be 3/4 to the red zone to overheating, the drive to school is not that far probably a mile or so. Yesterday, the guage would get up real high and then randomely fall down to 180 and go up again. It's been doing this for about a week, and it was doing this for about a week before I had my coolant changed and radiator flushed. After I did that it stopped for awhile until now.

So, do I need to replace the thermostat and refill the coolant? Or is there something else I should do if you've had the same experiences?

Also, I'm not that knowledgeable about cars so if I said something wrong and everything let me know and I'll try to re-explain it.

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by nmn54

So, do I need to replace the thermostat and refill the coolant? .

Cheap way to start off

also, make sure to replace the radiator cap as well.

Other things:

check the radaitor fins for blockage from leaves or other trash and belt tension.

[nmn54]

Alright, thanks. Will do that this weekend.

Why do I need to replace the radiator cap? Cause my friend did that, I'm just wondering, not questioning.

[Bassasasin]

Ive seen the thermostats get crystals on them and such..
Kindof mucky stuff too..

Its a great idea to swap it out and most likely the problem.

Good Luck

[ikeyballz]

also... check that your electric fans are kickin in.. the temp stay down if your car is moving but it'll spike if your cars standing still and your fans arent on..

remember the coolant temp sensor might be broken too.. they might be telling you its okay and stuff when its not or vice versa. cheap ~10$ fix for that..

[jtvyper456]

Fans are programmed to kick in at 216 degrees on the V6, I'd make sure they kick on....turn your A/C on and make sure the fans even work.

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by nmn54

Why do I need to replace the radiator cap? Cause my friend did that, I'm just wondering, not questioning.

It's a rule of thumb. The cap maintains system pressure on the system. The more pressure, the higher the boiling point, hence how a engine can run 220* without blowing up.

[nmn54]

Originally Posted by ikeyballz

also... check that your electric fans are kickin in.. the temp stay down if your car is moving but it'll spike if your cars standing still and your fans arent on..

remember the coolant temp sensor might be broken too.. they might be telling you its okay and stuff when its not or vice versa. cheap ~10$ fix for that..

Naw, I hear the fans running when I shut off my car sometimes so I know that they're working, or at least attempting to.

I'll put in a new thermostat and cap tomorrow sometime, thanks for all the help.

[Savage Messiah]

yea check that thermostat