Running hot when stopped

Tiny
AW2018
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
For the past six or more months my car has been running hot but only when stopped. We changed the thermostat in it because the diagnostic test said that is what it was. It ran fine for a little bit. Now it i's back to doing the same. I never see any fluids under the car when stopped like its leaking but we are having to add fluids every three to four days. There is also a smell like burning fluids and some days thick (some days nothing) white smoke from the tail pipe. We have had people mention it needs a radiator flush maybe a new water pump or it may be blown head gasket. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 9:44 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,099 POSTS
Hello, and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like you have a bad head gasket. Fluids are going into the cylinders and being burned, hence the white smoke.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
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Okay, so what all does that consist of getting it fixed? Should we stop driving it until we are able to get it fixed?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
AL514
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Yes, you may want to stop driving it, overheating the engine over and over will warp the head itself. So you need to take it to a shop and have them replace the head gasket and while they are there you may want to have them do the timing chain or belt which ever it has, if it has not been done. I see this is a V6 as well, meaning you have two head gaskets to do.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
Thank you! What is an estimate on repairing all this?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,099 POSTS
Unfortunately, it is expensive, some prices range around $1,000.00, but you have two head gaskets to do. So just go get a couple estimates, it will vary shop to shop.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
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Thank you for all your help!
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
AW2018
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  • 6 POSTS
So we got in the shop. It was not blown head gasket but some other gaskets needed to be changed. Got a new water pump because it was leaking. Car was still running hot. Got a new radiator car is still running hot. They are saying they have not seen any thing like this before. Any ideas what else could be causing it to run hot?
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Tuesday, September 18th, 2018 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
If I may this sounds like a blown head gasket still. A head gasket chemical test is only about 75% accurate. Is the cooling system constantly down and you cant find a leak?

This guide can help as well.

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

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, September 20th, 2018 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
AW2018
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you! Well, after further searching and looking they found it is a blown head gasket.
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Thursday, September 20th, 2018 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
PAINTINGMD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
Engine Cooling problem
2005 Chevy Equinox 6 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic

water pump works doesnot move water through engine
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
How do you know the pump doesn't work? Is it turning? Have you checked for circulation in the radiator? Have you checked to make sure the thermostat isn't sticking shut?

Let me know.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 120,000 MILES
I put a new thermastat in and it is still running hot.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Rad may be clogged or you may have a failed head gasket from constant overheating

Roy
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)

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