My engine is overheating?

Tiny
CAKELI
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 194,000 MILES
My car has been overheating in less than 1 mile I have replaced (by a mechanic) my thermostat water pump and radiator so far. The mechanic opened this little valve on top of the engine to let the air out the system my fans work and my heat blows but does not heat up since the car started overheating. There is no antifreeze in my oil I dont have the money for the shop to do another so called diagnostic to tell me to replace something else that is not going to fix the problem please help me
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 2:26 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like the thermostat is stuck but to be sure here are two guides to help us.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
SMITH22
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  • 0 POST
Thanks for this post I had this problem and had to get a new thermostat cost me $43.00 all fixed!
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
ERICBILLUPS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
98 chevy malibu boiling over before overheating
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GINGY012
  • MEMBER
  • 86 POSTS
Sounds like it is your head gasket. Is it rough the car?
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
You mean your temp gauge is normal when this happens? Is your radiator fan running when this happens?
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMIRACHASEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,134 MILES
I this got a used engine put in the car last year because of the heads, and valves were bad. Last month car started overheating. We took it to the shop and got the thermostat replaced. We drove it for many two weeks, Now it's over heating again. I took the car back to the shop and I was tood the heads are going again. Every time I start the car it doesnt want to take off. The rpm goes up to 4 until maybe 5 mins of drivng the car. I dont know if it is the heads of if it is something else, coolent tank bubbles once gauge gets over half mark. Car doesnt go all the way to the red make, but just between half and red. Car doesnt ride rough, but loud because have hole in muffler. Please someone let me know something.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
The most and very common on them is the intake manifold gasket
its about 300 to 400 $ job if done @ a shop
have your tranny fluid checked or add some
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CORRORDZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Other Category problem
1998 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl 163000 miles

My car has been overheating lately. Now there is water mixed in the engine oil. I think there is a leak. Do you think that I might have an engine problem?
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
9 out of 10 its the intake manifold gasket
check on top the tranny and under the throttle body for coolant leak also look in the front under the power steering pump

good luck let me know
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GUILLECABRE71
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
This car wont turn the fans on in normal mode, if I disconnect the temperature sensor the fans will turn on and blow alot and fast. If I connect the sensor the temp goes up to 215 and begans to boil the reservoir, I have the data live scan tool so I can read this, I have change the termostat, when I turn the AC on the fans will go on but slowly. Can someone help me what can this be?
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
All that proves is that the computer has control and the circuit is working properly. We see this question all the time. The issue is that it is engineered to come on at higher temps then you are expecting. These fans aren't even programmed to come on until approx 225 degrees.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Also, let me note that if you are seeing air bubbling at 215 degrees, you have a bigger problem of a likely blown head gasket. Very common on this engine. It's also very difficult to bleed all the air out of this system. Using a vacuum fill is the best way
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GUILLECABRE71
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the answers, I will check out well de radiator, hoses and the air in de system, hopping the head gaskets are well. Thanks again of your help.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSE121908
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Chevy Malibu

I have a car that is pouring out anti freeze and I don't know why. I also have a problem with the radiator hose and I don't know what it is? Can anyone help me?
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

First I need to know if this is a 4 or 6 cylinder?

Next, I need you to be more specific. When you say your car is pouring out anti freeze, where is it coming out of?

Which radiator hose do you have a problem with, the upper or lower and what is it doing?
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSE121908
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It's a 4 cylinder, and the anti freeze is leakin out of the back of the lower raidiator hose.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
It sounds like your lower radiator hose has torn or split from what you say if you can see it leaking out of where it connects. All you have to do is purchase a replacement from the auto parts, get a couple 50/50 mix of antifreeze and replace the hose and refill with antifreeze.
Make sure you first fill your radiator as full as it will go. Then start the car and let it idle with the cap off. Turn your heater on high. As long as it isn't running out of the top of the radiator allow it to run and keep an eye on the temp gauge so it doesn't get too hot.
Add fluid as it goes down. Again, keep an eye on the temp gauge. Put the radiator cap on and let run keeping an eye on the temp. After 5 minutes or so, turn it off and let it sit and cool before checking the fluid level.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSE121908
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Sorry Not to good at this, but if it leaks antifreeze from the left side of the car behind the tire what would that be the raidiator hose (lower or Upper), or water pump? Because It's running hot and when you pour antifreeze in it, it pours back out.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KNICE_3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
I just replaced my thermostat and my car still over heats. Its smoke from the radiator reservior but I have coolant in the car what else could be the problem and I hear my boiling in my radiator
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

I understand I am unclear as to where you are talking about it leaking when you say left side, are you talking about the passenger side or drivers side?

Also, when you say the tire, are you talking about the front or rear tire?

On something like this, so you don't burn your engine up, especially since you need immediate answers, it would be better to get a neighbor, friend etc that has a little understanding about cars that can one, explain what and where or provide you immediate answers to prevent damage to your engine.
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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM (Merged)

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