Engine overheating

Tiny
ROMEL WATTS
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 PONTIAC G6
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
I was driving to Seattle for an appointment and my car was doing just fine but then on the way back from my appointment I noticed that my temperature gauge was climbing. Not rapidly but it was slowly getting hot so I pulled over and turned my car off and I popped the hood and I heard my radiator fan come on. So, I checked my engine to see it was hot but the engine was cold and there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. Thankfully I had my car towed to my apartment so I could do a little maintenance on because there weren’t any shops open. I got to my apartment and I changed my thermostat to see if that would help but it was still overheating. I noticed that every time I put my foot on the gas and accelerated the temperature starts to rise past 220 degrees and when I let up on the gas the temperature drops back to normal 190-200 degrees. I have no idea what’s going on with my temperature gauge or why my car is overheating. Please help
Saturday, March 28th, 2020 AT 1:33 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

That is an interesting one. Does the gauge go up quickly when you accelerate? Also, if you keep a steady speed, does it overheat? Will it overheat if you allow it to idle? Lets start simple. Take a look through this link and see if there is anything that helps. If there isn't please let me know and we'll move along.

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

Please let me know what you find. Also, please check the motor oil to see if there is any evidence of coolant mixing with the engine oil. Take a look through this link as well and let me know what you find.

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

I will watch for your reply.

Joe
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Saturday, March 28th, 2020 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
ROMEL WATTS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, even at steady speeds the temperature rises but not as fast. Only when I got above 40 mph.
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Saturday, March 28th, 2020 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The interesting thing about that is this. The faster you go, the more air flow passes through the radiator cooling the engine. Most vehicles will heat up going slow or at idle and not moving. So, either we have a restriction in the radiator or engine, or there may be an issue with a head gasket.

When you replaced the thermostat, did the engine block appear clean? Was the inside of the radiator at all corroded? By any chance, did you flush the system before refilling it?

I'm sorry I have so many questions. I'm trying to determine what has been done exactly so I know what to tell you to do next. Hope you understand.

Let me know.
Joe
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Saturday, March 28th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM

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