Car overheats?

Tiny
ELJURI
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
I replaced thermostat, water pump and radiator on my buick rendezvous but the car still overheats and I can see that it fogging or smoking from the tail pipe. What can it be?
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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:07 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Could be a blown head gasket, or cracked head this guide will help us find out fo sure

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
That is a blown head gasket. You can also double check by removing the cap to the overflow tank. And have someone rev the motor up to about 1500 rpm while you look at the fluid inside. (Same time)

If you see bubbles, that is exhaust gas coming from a blown head gasket.

If you engine has over 100-140K miles on it, don't bother having the gaskets replaced. It'll make more economical sense to buy a used motor with less miles.

BUT! Make sure you know who you're dealing with and that they test the motor first.
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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
ELJURI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
I have a 2005 buick rendezvous with 92000 miles. THe car was overheating so the mechanic replaced thermostat, water pump and radiator. The SUV stills overheats. Please help?
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
First, I'll need a little more information.

Does the car leak fluid? Does the fluid get low but with no visible leaks?

Also, after running the engine until the temp needle reaches half way, squeeze the radiator hose and see if there's pressure in the system.

If there's no pressure, then there's a leak somewhere. A leak doesn't have to be visible, because it could leak inside of the motor, either into the oil, or out the tail pipe.

If this is the case, you'll either have a blown intake gasket, or head gasket.

Also, when you had all these components replaced, did they flush the system to check for any blockages, then bleed the system of all air?
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELJURI
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  • 4 POSTS
No leaks, have anough coolant and flushed but they never bleed the system of all air
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELJURI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I checked the pressure in the system and I can see something coming out the tail pipe. Like vapor or similar.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TXCYN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,000 MILES
I drove my car 1 mile and car overheated. Had oil maintenance 2 weeks prior at dealership. In bad part of town, could not stop, so turned on heater, engine cooled down. Took car to dealership, they said not warranty work, just needed to get radiator flushed. Radiator had muddy looking stuff in it. Took car back 1 week later because it did not seem right. They said it had a cracked head gasket, kept it for a week. When I picked up, paper said it was running normal. Took back 1 week later because antifreeze was low. They added antifreeze and said it was probably because air in lines. I've been checking daily, I added antifreeze a couple of times, and have been watching it. Last night drove 1 mile to destination and smoke was coming from under hood. It looked like antifreeze was spraying out. Of course dealership maintenance was closed for week end. Any ideas of how I should handle this?
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
The dealer needs to make their work right. Can you describe where the coolant was spraying from?

Keep in mind, the leak you saw may be a simple hose that has been causing you to add fluid. Regardless, they "fixed" it last and need to make it right.

Let me know aprox where the leak is coming from so I can give you some ideas.
Joe
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TXCYN
  • MEMBER
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Im not sure where it is leaking. I looks like at the top (closest to windshield) where the black hoses are there is fluid that has spewed out. I turned off car before I opened hood so I did not actually see it coming out. It is now back at repair shop and I'm getting a run around about it having low mileage, and he thought it was only overheating (i left a detailed account of what happened on seat) and it was working fine. When I told him that was not the problem it was the smoke, he said he had to check it again.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
Let me know what they say.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TENIZA2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
I have a 2005 Buick rendevzous it keeps overheating I have change the radiator the water pump the thermostast and and I have checked all the hoses and flushed the radiator and still my car is overheating what I shou
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Have the coolant systeme pressure checked for internal leaks may be a head/intake gasket
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TENIZA2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
And how can I check for leaks
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Normally you take it to a pro who will do it or you can rent the tool at auto parts and make sure the correct adapter is there then pressureize the system and seeif pressure drops rapidly if it does and you see no leaks then it's internal and then you can start to see where it's leaks from as you tear it apart. Good luck
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
1985
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I've replaced water pump coolant temperature sensor, thermostat, all hoses. I'm going through a gallon of antifreeze a week with no leaks and now the fans are not working. Please help.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, was the radiator and cooling system flushed? Was the correct type of coolant used? From the factory, the cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL engine coolant. It is a pinkish orange color. You can not mix traditional coolant with it (usually green in color). By any chance, was that done?

Now, I am going to provide a couple links to try and diagnose this problem. If you are going through coolant and there are no leaks, you may have a bad head gasket. Often times there is evidence of coolant mixing with the engine oil and creating a tan creamy substance. Or, it will enter the combustion chamber and burn with the fuel. In that case, you can see excessive white smoke from the exhaust. So, if the things I mentioned in paragraph 1 were covered and coolant types were not mixed, I need you to check for a possible head gasket issue. Here is a link that shows how it is done, and yes, you can do it at home. Most requires nothing more than looking for evidence.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

If you did not flush the cooling system, here is a link that explains how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Let me know what you find. Also, let me know if the engine overheats if you are driving at highway speeds. I will watch for your response and feel free to ask any question that you have. Once we diagnose what the problem is being caused by, I will help you through the repair process.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
1985
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
So I flushed the radiator system this weekend an yes I've put the Dexcool back in and it's still overheating. I'm lost and stumped. I don't know what to do. I even did a block test.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Was there every a different type of coolant mixed with the dex-cool? Also, can you let me know the mileage and if you did all the tests indicated above for a head gasket issue?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WENDI CORNETT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • 109,000 MILES
I just did tune up on car because wires were rusty. But changed thermastat and water pump but this is what my radiator cap looks like looks like mud but dont see any in radiator when we look
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Previously answered
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)

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