1997 Buick Skylark cooling fan not working

TOUCHDOWNTNK

MEMBER
1997 BUICK SKYLARK
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Noticed temp gauge rising at stop lights. Checked to find that cooling fan was not kicking in. Changed relay located on top of radiator with no fix. Then I changed temp sensor with no fix also. Car is overheating on longer drives and spraying coolant out of resivoir cap. Temp gauge in car never goes more than one line above half way which is still within "normal" range. Do I have a flow problem? Water pump, thermostat or what! Also checked 40 amp fuse in engine compartment. NOTE! Fan does start for approx.2-3 seconds each time car is started, hot or cold.

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 AT 4:59 PM

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Try the thermostat and see what happens

Checking the water pump

One way to test for a bad water pump is to squeeze the upper radiator hose when the engine is hot and idling. Careful, because the hose will be HOT! If you do not feel much coolant circulating through the hose when you rev the engine, the pump may be bad. The other cause might be a bad thermostat that is not opening properly (remove and inspect the thermostat), or a clogged radiator.

If it continues have it block and pressure tested

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Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 AT 5:10 PM