Has some overheating issues. Coolant level is fine?

IDONTWANTANAME

MEMBER
2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
3.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

I have the vehicle listed above that has some overheating issues. Coolant level is fine. Engine oil is fine. A few months ago I would only have heat if I was driving. When I stopped it would go to cold air coming out of the vents. Now that it is warmer outside, it is starting to overheat if I sit too long at a red light. I flipped the temp over to heat but no heat would come out so I've had to just shut the car down when it gets too hot. I do hear my fans turn on but reading some of the other comments out there I need to check to see if they are actually both on and running. But based on the heat issues along with the overheating, can there be something else? I will have to take it in and I want to be armed with all the information possible so I don't get cheated.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Here are some guides that will help with this:

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

However, I suspect you have an issue with the heater core being plugged. We need to check the temp of the inlet and outlet hose to see if they are about the same. Just use a laser temperature meter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

The other thing you can do is just bypass the heater core and see if the overheating stops.

If it does then you have a plugged heater core. Below is the info on these hoses but you can just get a plastic tube and take both hoses off and connect them. I would use a curved piece so that the lines are not kinked.

Let us know what happens with this. Thanks

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