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Vehicle overheating at idle or if stuck in traffic?

Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 208,000 MILES
Vehicle overheating at idle or if stuck in traffic. I have changed the radiator, thermostat, and sensor. Both fans are working and hoses are fine, but still overheating. What else can I do to fix this problem? Please help.
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 2:41 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Are you sure that the fans are turning on? This is usually why a vehicle overheats in traffic or idling. Please get back to us and we can go from there.

This guide can help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes they are. I hear/see them going even when I stop n turn the car off. Could it be a relay or maybe I got a bad thermostat when I replaced it a couple months ago? Because even while making those changes the overheating issue was still there.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

A bad thermostat would cause your vehicle to overheat all the time, as would a bad water pump or an air pocket that isn't allowing the coolant to flow. Did you change the fans at any point?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
No I haven't changed the fans at all.I recently changed the thermostat.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Well it wouldn't be the first time or the last time that a thermostat was bad right out of the box. I would suggest either replacing the thermostat again or testing it to make sure that it is opening. You can place it in a pan of boiling water. As it reaches the opening temperature, you can actually watch it open up. If it doesn't then it is bad. In the diagrams down below I have included the opening temperatures for your vehicle's thermostat. Please get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay, I will try that. I really hope it's a bad thermostat.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
This guide should help:

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SHERWIN B
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for the info, it really helped me understand the overheating issues ive been having.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Lets try a head gasket test first to see if that is the problem.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 1:06 PM

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