Where should the temperature gauge be registering at normal operating temperature?

Tiny
ALAN POSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
It is running a bit over half way. I have replaced both head gaskets, the radiator, the water pump, thermostat, and temperature sensor. I checked the cooling fans and they seem to be working fine. I have flushed the coolant system three times with prestone flush and removed block drain and refilled with fresh antifreeze, distilled water, and a corrosion inhibitor. It builds up pressure on radiator hoses quickly upon a cold start, but I have checked for bubbles in the coolant and there are none. It's about 80 degrees outside and after a short drive the engine seems quite hot to me. Is this normal?
Thursday, April 8th, 2021 AT 1:24 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

When you had the heads off, did you have them checked for being warped or cracks?

You may still have a head gasket issue. The fact it builds up pressure quickly tells me that. You need to have a leak down test done to verify. You also should have replaced all the head bolts during the repair.

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

Roy

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Thursday, April 8th, 2021 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
ALAN POSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
They are not warped or cracked, the car has never been run hot. It sat for about 2 years and I bought a complete engine gasket set and tore it down to replace the intake gaskets and I figured I would go ahead and replace the head gaskets and valve seals while I was there, and since I had the gaskets. Also I picked up new head and rocker bolts and cleaned all surfaces thoroughly, and torqued every bolt to specs. This is why I am puzzled.
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Thursday, April 8th, 2021 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, what temperature thermostat did you install? It should be a 195.

You will need a scan tool to verify the temperature as well to see what the actual reading the coolant sensor is sending.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-coolant-temperature-sensor-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

Roy

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Thursday, April 8th, 2021 AT 5:17 PM

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