2001 Grand Am overheating

[casper1984]

I have a 2001 Grand Am automatic

Well I was ont he highway the other day and was suck in highway ttraffic for about an hour all together well I noticed as soon as we got to the slow moving traffic the temp gauge started moving past half way but once I got into a little faster pace it went down but once at a snail pace it went right back up.Never noticed in city driving any suggestions to start with?

Also after tranny warms up to normal temp after running for a little while I notice after coming to stop light and taking off the tranny stumbles or hops I dont know how to really explain it but acts like its loosing tracking but not for first to second but its not slipping got tranny fluid changed and checkout all is ok.Its like tummbling,hopping,stumbling,skipping its hard to explain

[goodoldpapa]

When mine is in traffic, it will get up to 210 but no higher. Then when I'm rolling again, it cools down to about 195-200. The V6 has a 195 thermostat, whereas the 4 cyl has a 180.

[casper1984]

Yeah thats about how high mine goes too should I get it replace with 195.
Did you replace yours or you just kinda deal with it?

[championvette]

My 97 grand am did the same thing. It would run at normal temp the whole trip, wherever I was going, but If I got stuck in traffic or stopped and left the car running for a few minutes, it would rise up and up and up. It would go all the way up if i didnt get up to speed or shut the car off. Turns out i had a bad thermostat. Changed it out and it was fine.

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[xeroinfinity]

casper1984 which engine do you have the V6 or 4 cyl ?
How many miles on this GA ?

I Would try replacing the thermostat first.
But if its the V6, you lower intake could be leaking causing it to run hotter then normal. Which is typical for the V6.

[casper1984]

The engine is a V6 and has 94000 or 95000 miles

[xeroinfinity]

Have you noticed your coolant being dirty looking, or milky looking oil ?

Do you know if your LI gaskets have been changed ?

[casper1984]

Really havent notice the coolant be dirty but really didnt check it out yet.
But when got oil changed it got an inspection and they didnt say anything about the coolant needing to be flush/changed

And I dont know if the LI gaskets have been changed since I just bought it used from a dealer about 6 months ago and a old lady use to own it so dont think they were ever changed

[Guitar's Cry]

Originally Posted by casper1984

I have a 2001 Grand Am automatic

Well I was ont he highway the other day and was suck in highway ttraffic for about an hour all together well I noticed as soon as we got to the slow moving traffic the temp gauge started moving past half way but once I got into a little faster pace it went down but once at a snail pace it went right back up.Never noticed in city driving any suggestions to start with?

I get this a lot. While moving, you have air circulating around your radiator, cooling your fluid just as your radiator fan would.

The fan should have kicked in fairly soon.

[casper1984]

So its normal to run at 210 and it should stay right in there since its a V6 but will go down soon once fan kicks in

[Guitar's Cry]

Originally Posted by casper1984

So its normal to run at 210 and it should stay right in there since its a V6 but will go down soon once fan kicks in

I'm not sure about the V6, but my 4-cylinder will get up to 220 at idle on a hot summer day before the fan kicks in.

[casper1984]

I think its pretty normal then if yours runs that high for a 4cylinder
Thanks for the info.

[xeroinfinity]

210 is way to high!

Best thing to do is use a chemical flush and see if it clears up after that and some new coolant. Coolant only lasts about 4-5yrs tops!

If it's still running that hot then you've probly got a lower intake leaking. Which is typical of these V6's.

Fans operate as follows;

The PCM commands Low Speed Fans ON under the following conditions:

The engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 106°C (223°F).
The A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1310 kPa (190 psi).
The vehicle is shut off when the engine coolant temperature is greater than 140°C (284°F) and system voltage is more than 12 volts. The fans will stay ON for approximately 3 minutes.

The PCM commands High Speed Fans on under the following conditions:

The engine coolant temperature reaches 110°C (230°F).
The A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1655 kPa (240 psi).
When certain DTCs set.

btw this is for the 1999-2005 Grand ams. Other years are very simular.

I didnt like my Grand ams running around the 200 deg mark so I dropped down to the 180 deg thermostat. It never gets close to the 200 mark anymore. And still has enough to heat the car up in the winter.

[casper1984]

So should I change my 195 thermostat to the 180?