2002 Pontiac Grand Prix cooling problems

CHOLLAR21

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
177,000 MILES

My temp gauge fluctuates. It goes from overheating to back to normal. I have replaced my water pump, thermostat (195 degree), upper and lower radiator and heater hoses, and bypass hose. I have had the system flushed out a few times. I have bled the system out several times but still cant seem to get all the air out. I can drive the car about 30 minutes and then it spikes and then will drop. When it spikes I have no heat. I dont notice any leaks externally. I know that gm is famous for the lower intake gaskets being faulty. I also noticed after filling the radiator and then bleeding it and driving it for a little while it never spiked but I let the car cool and noticed the fluid was low in the radiator. I was wondering if you had any insight. The engine is a 3.1l.

Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 8:50 PM

3 Replies

JNOVACK

MECHANIC
723 POSTS

Test the temp sensor it sounds like the sensor is working intermitently
Testing

Temperature Gauge Inoperative Or Inaccurate

Disconnect the engine coolant temperature (gauge) sensor (usually a dark green wire).
Insert a 44 ohm resistor between the connector and ground.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Does the gauge now read high, approximately 260 °F (127 °C)?
If the gauge now reads high, check for a poor connection. If okay, replace the gauge sensor.
If the gauge shows no change, check for a bad connection at the instrument cluster, or a short to voltage between the instrument cluster connector and the gauge sensor. If these circuits are okay, it may be necessary to service the instrument cluster.

Locate the engine coolant temperature gauge sensor. It is usually below the coolant connection, just below the bleeder connection.
Partially drain the cooling system to a level below the sensor.
Unplug the electrical connector.
Unscrew the sensor from the engine.
To install:

Thread the sensor into the engine. Use care not to damage the "pigtail" wire.
Reconnect the lead wire.
Refill the cooling system with the proper mix of DEX-COOL � and water and properly bleed the cooling system.
Check for leaks.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 9:06 PM

CHOLLAR21

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I took my car to dealer and the told me that I had a cracked head from testing my antifreeze. I took my heads off and had them checked and the heads were ok. I beleive it was my intake manifold gasket that cracked. When I took the heads off I noticed there was water in every cylinder but no cracks in the gasket. I noticed water in my valves so I am led to beleive it is from my intake manifold. Willlet you know the result when I get everything back together.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+1

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 AT 1:38 PM

JNOVACK