1989 Chevy Celebrity overheating

JPCHAIRES

MEMBER
1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
61,000 MILES

Today, the water pump bypass gasket began to leak coolant quite badly. Coolant on ground and car starting to overheat on the gauge. I installed a new gasket and replaced the coolant. Now - I start the car and the temp gauge goes to the red. What is going on. Surely driving for less than 15 minutes with coolant leaking didn't damage the thermostat? What could be causing this?

Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 8:36 PM

3 Replies

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Hello,

Thank You for the Donation.

If you had to add quite a bit of coolant you may have an air bubble in the engine which will cause it to over heat quickly. What you can do it jack the vehicle up on the side of the car that has the highest access to bring the bubble to the top. Or you can run the vehicle at idle for a while with radiator cap loose or off.

Also when you replaced the gasket did you use a gasket sealer? If so you may have gotten some on the thermostat and it could be stuck closed.

.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 9:25 PM

JPCHAIRES

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I did use sealant with the gasket, but on this model, the thermostat is on the other side of the engine. Could small amounts of sealant travel that far and cause the thermostat to stick? Also - I see that this thermostat has an air release valve on top. Do I just loosen it and let the car run? Is this better than running with the cap off?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 9:45 PM

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Ok, No the sealer usually won't.

Since it does have the bleeder then yes you can use it however you will also most likely loose more coolant until the bubble finds its way out.

I don't know if it is better but will work either way.

.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 9:59 PM