03 gp se 3.1ltr prob

[mac_jns25]

ok we have had bad weather the last few days(sub zero temps). car started fine, but temp shot up to redline. didnt have any heat(just blew cold air). finally the car died and wouldnt restart(overheated). then i heard this lound clunking noise coming from the radiator i think. oh yeah i had to add antifreeze as well but couldnt find any puddles under the car. anysuggestions??

[DJ JEFF]

So when you seen the temp go the red line, you didn't think anything was wrong? Why would you let it run til it died? It very well might be dead forever! It sounds like you probably had a $10 part fail, or frozen, called a thermostat. Yeah and your anti-freeze wasn't probably anti, so much. More like just Freeze. It's sounds like you may have ice in your radiator.

If your lucky, the motor might run again. You need to change your thermostat and put in fresh anti-freeze. If it doesn't run, you might want to take it to a GM service center to see if they can salvage the motor for you. You may have burned some cylinders, warped the heads, cracked a head, who knows. Good luck let us know what happens.

[mac_jns25]

i didnt notice the temp until after it quit running. and yes it did start again. i was thinkingit could be ice in the radiator...how would i get that out? the t-stat is below the throttle body? thanks for the response.

[DJ JEFF]

Originally Posted by mac_jns25

i didnt notice the temp until after it quit running. and yes it did start again. i was thinkingit could be ice in the radiator...how would i get that out? the t-stat is below the throttle body? thanks for the response.

Your going to have to thaw it out some how or another. You can disconnect the bottom hose radiator hose and keep pouring hot water through and letting it drain out. Once you get it thawed you should replace that thermostat. Yes it under the throttle body. Fill your system back up and with some fresh Dex Cool. Do not mix with green stuff. I'm happy for you that it still runs.

[doctorhrdware]

I have one question why would you think that your radiator would be frozen. Did you have just water or was it 50/50 mix of antifreeze?

[mac_jns25]

Originally Posted by doctorhrdware

I have one question why would you think that your radiator would be frozen. Did you have just water or was it 50/50 mix of antifreeze?

it was a 50/50 mix.. but the temp here hit almost -30 the other night.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mac_jns25

it was a 50/50 mix.. but the temp here hit almost -30 the other night.

-30? Ouch!

Then your mix may be borderline for the severe weather conditions. Ethylene Glycol 50/50 mix coolant to include Dex-cool is typically good for as low as -34 degrees F.

A mixture of 60/40 Ethylene Glycol antifreeze should provide freeze protection down to at least -62° F.

And welcome to AF.

[wafrederick]

If the engine went,the best way is a reman and cheaper than fixing the engine.Jasper is the way to go and fixed the problems with the 3100/3400 eating cams,align bore the cam journals putting in upgraded cam bearings.GM does not fix this problem,they put in the cheapest cam bearing and the cam journals were casted offset.

[tblake]

Originally Posted by mac_jns25

ok we have had bad weather the last few days(sub zero temps). car started fine, but temp shot up to redline. didnt have any heat(just blew cold air). finally the car died and wouldnt restart(overheated). then i heard this lound clunking noise coming from the radiator i think. oh yeah i had to add antifreeze as well but couldnt find any puddles under the car. anysuggestions??

The temp shot up, heater blows cold air, he had to add antifreeze, and he's got a 3100.

I'm thinking Blown Lower intake gasket, and now that it has overheated, you will probably have to change the head gaskets, and get the heads checked for straightness.

Check your oil level. Is it over full?

[mac_jns25]

no the oil is ok....talked to alocalmechanic and he said it could be air pockets in the system and that i should run the car with the radiator cap off to "burp" it out. he also said that the gaskets probably are about ready to go. ever heard of this air bubble thing?

[BNaylor]

I doubt it. Air pockets or air in the cooling system does not cause extreme overheating like you experienced. However, air or gases (combustion by-products) are introduced into the pressurized cooling system when the LIM or head gaskets blow.

Just to be sure if you are able to start the engine let it warmup and then see if any air is in the system by using the bleeder valve on the black tower located on top of the water pump and/or at the thermostat housing.

[tblake]

Good thinking Bob, He could start it, and feel a radiator hose te see if it immediatly gets high pressure. Indicating a blown head gasket.

[mac_jns25]

got it fired up, ran for about 15 minutes, checked a hose, and felt very little pressure(top hose that runs to t-stat). also noticed droplets(not a lot) flying at me from serp belt.

[tblake]

waterpump?

[mac_jns25]

hey i really want to thank you all for taking time to try to help with my problem. i bought a new battery(old one was shot) firedthe car up...and now i have heat. makes no sense to me..lol