98 Malibu running hotter since gasket repair
mikept03
05-19-2005, 11:28 PM
Ever since last month when I found oil in the coolant and had the lower intake gaskets replaced, I've noticed that my Malibu (with the 3.1) is running hotter than it was before. It never overheats, but were as before it would run at 180 or below on the freeway and 190 in traffic, now it stays consistenly between 180 and 190 on the freeway, and if im stopped at a light for more than 5 or so minutes, it will rise to the 200-220 range (this is all with temps in the 60s-70s). I know the fans are working right cause they very occasionally do come on, but I found that running the A/C in while stopped actually lowers the temps by running the fans.
The dealership suggested getting a new thermostat and water pump, and a coolant power flush, but when I took it to my usual shop, they said it didnt really need the flush, and only did the first two.
Im just wondering now if flushing it myself will fix the problem, or if this is a sign that the gaskets weren't done properly. Also, will flushing it myself with the Prestone backflush and radiator cleaner be enough, or should I break down and pay the $100 to have it done in the shop?
Thanks for any thoughts, i just want to be able to stop worrying about my car, and seeing the needle creep that high makes me pretty nervous.
The dealership suggested getting a new thermostat and water pump, and a coolant power flush, but when I took it to my usual shop, they said it didnt really need the flush, and only did the first two.
Im just wondering now if flushing it myself will fix the problem, or if this is a sign that the gaskets weren't done properly. Also, will flushing it myself with the Prestone backflush and radiator cleaner be enough, or should I break down and pay the $100 to have it done in the shop?
Thanks for any thoughts, i just want to be able to stop worrying about my car, and seeing the needle creep that high makes me pretty nervous.
tjlnwarren
05-20-2005, 07:27 AM
I read your post on your 98 Malibu. I had the upper Intake manifold gasket replaced at 44, 000 miles. I have been having the same problems. Please see my post under "Temperature Reading". I wanted to make sure that this was not normal for 3100 V6, but after reading the reply on my post, I am beginning to think something is not right. I have a new thermostat and water pump, so I am not sure what the problem is. My Malibu never spikes past 220; however that does seem high. I hope I do not need to have another gasket put in.
mikept03
05-21-2005, 03:21 AM
I read your post on your 98 Malibu. I had the upper Intake manifold gasket replaced at 44, 000 miles. I have been having the same problems. Please see my post under "Temperature Reading". I wanted to make sure that this was not normal for 3100 V6, but after reading the reply on my post, I am beginning to think something is not right. I have a new thermostat and water pump, so I am not sure what the problem is. My Malibu never spikes past 220; however that does seem high. I hope I do not need to have another gasket put in.
Yeah, I saw your other post too. Did you have a coolant flush done after the gaskets were replaced? I sure hope its some residual oil and other stuff floating around in there thats making them run hotter. The coolant itself looks ok, maybe a little cloudy.
Did you get it done at the dealership also? I supposedly got the new and improved GM gaskets, so we'll see.
Yeah, I saw your other post too. Did you have a coolant flush done after the gaskets were replaced? I sure hope its some residual oil and other stuff floating around in there thats making them run hotter. The coolant itself looks ok, maybe a little cloudy.
Did you get it done at the dealership also? I supposedly got the new and improved GM gaskets, so we'll see.
tjlnwarren
05-27-2005, 07:21 AM
Sorry I am so late in responding. I have been extremely busy at work. I spoke with a mechanic friend over the weekend about the higher temperature for the 3100 V6. He stated that it is probably related to the thermal sensors that tell the electrics fans at what temp to cut on. He asked me to start the car and let it warm up and notice at what temperature reading the fans cut on. If it is beyond the midrange (@ 210) then the sensor may be bad. He did confirm that while 220 may be high it will not damage the engine, unless it spikes up to around 250.
He also stated that the radiator may have trash and need to be flushed or the cores are not letting the antifreeze fully circulate. He stated that a larger radiator for the Malibu may not be a bad idea. I tried that on my Malibu and noticed my fans are cutting on @ 170 and they seem to working with better regularity. Since then my temp has remained at the mid range, both running and idle. It may have been the sensor all along. I do know that after I had the intake gasket replaced that they did not get the plug in secured well which was not allowing the fans to cut on.
Hopes this helps
He also stated that the radiator may have trash and need to be flushed or the cores are not letting the antifreeze fully circulate. He stated that a larger radiator for the Malibu may not be a bad idea. I tried that on my Malibu and noticed my fans are cutting on @ 170 and they seem to working with better regularity. Since then my temp has remained at the mid range, both running and idle. It may have been the sensor all along. I do know that after I had the intake gasket replaced that they did not get the plug in secured well which was not allowing the fans to cut on.
Hopes this helps
wymi
05-27-2005, 12:57 PM
Sorry I am so late in responding. I have been extremely busy at work. I spoke with a mechanic friend over the weekend about the higher temperature for the 3100 V6. He stated that it is probably related to the thermal sensors that tell the electrics fans at what temp to cut on. He asked me to start the car and let it warm up and notice at what temperature reading the fans cut on. If it is beyond the midrange (@ 210) then the sensor may be bad. He did confirm that while 220 may be high it will not damage the engine, unless it spikes up to around 250.
He also stated that the radiator may have trash and need to be flushed or the cores are not letting the antifreeze fully circulate. He stated that a larger radiator for the Malibu may not be a bad idea. I tried that on my Malibu and noticed my fans are cutting on @ 170 and they seem to working with better regularity. Since then my temp has remained at the mid range, both running and idle. It may have been the sensor all along. I do know that after I had the intake gasket replaced that they did not get the plug in secured well which was not allowing the fans to cut on.
So did you repalce the radiator or the temp sensor? If it was the sensor where is it located and what tools did you need to replace it?
Hopes this helpsefer
He also stated that the radiator may have trash and need to be flushed or the cores are not letting the antifreeze fully circulate. He stated that a larger radiator for the Malibu may not be a bad idea. I tried that on my Malibu and noticed my fans are cutting on @ 170 and they seem to working with better regularity. Since then my temp has remained at the mid range, both running and idle. It may have been the sensor all along. I do know that after I had the intake gasket replaced that they did not get the plug in secured well which was not allowing the fans to cut on.
So did you repalce the radiator or the temp sensor? If it was the sensor where is it located and what tools did you need to replace it?
Hopes this helpsefer
mikept03
06-01-2005, 02:34 PM
Sorry I am so late in responding. I have been extremely busy at work. I spoke with a mechanic friend over the weekend about the higher temperature for the 3100 V6. He stated that it is probably related to the thermal sensors that tell the electrics fans at what temp to cut on. He asked me to start the car and let it warm up and notice at what temperature reading the fans cut on. If it is beyond the midrange (@ 210) then the sensor may be bad. He did confirm that while 220 may be high it will not damage the engine, unless it spikes up to around 250.
He also stated that the radiator may have trash and need to be flushed or the cores are not letting the antifreeze fully circulate. He stated that a larger radiator for the Malibu may not be a bad idea. I tried that on my Malibu and noticed my fans are cutting on @ 170 and they seem to working with better regularity. Since then my temp has remained at the mid range, both running and idle. It may have been the sensor all along. I do know that after I had the intake gasket replaced that they did not get the plug in secured well which was not allowing the fans to cut on.
Hopes this helps
Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure it would be the fans, I've read in many places on here that they are designed to come on only when the temperature is really high, around 230 (they also run whenever the A/C is on). That seems about right on mine, I went into a store when it was running hot, and when i came back and started it about 5 mins later, the temp gauge was about 3/4 to the top and the fans were running on high without the A/C being on.
Its good that he found a way to make the fans come on at a cooler temp, but 170 is probably too low (isn't the middle mark on the temp gauge 180?). Also, I'm not sure how this could be done, as I'm pretty sure the computer controls the fans. The only time they run all the time is when the temp sensor is unplugged. Does anyone know if the same temp sensor that controls the fans provides the dash reading as well?
The size of the radiator may shouldn't be the problem, at least in my case the car ran nice and cool at the middle mark before the gasket replacement.
My guess is probably the radiator flush. When your gaskets blew, did you have oil in your coolant? I can still see some of the residue from it in the surge tank, although the coolant itself looks pretty clean. I'll be getting it flushed in about two weeks when I go home for the summer. The dealership here in Irvine wanted $260 for the power flush, which seems pretty steep.
He also stated that the radiator may have trash and need to be flushed or the cores are not letting the antifreeze fully circulate. He stated that a larger radiator for the Malibu may not be a bad idea. I tried that on my Malibu and noticed my fans are cutting on @ 170 and they seem to working with better regularity. Since then my temp has remained at the mid range, both running and idle. It may have been the sensor all along. I do know that after I had the intake gasket replaced that they did not get the plug in secured well which was not allowing the fans to cut on.
Hopes this helps
Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure it would be the fans, I've read in many places on here that they are designed to come on only when the temperature is really high, around 230 (they also run whenever the A/C is on). That seems about right on mine, I went into a store when it was running hot, and when i came back and started it about 5 mins later, the temp gauge was about 3/4 to the top and the fans were running on high without the A/C being on.
Its good that he found a way to make the fans come on at a cooler temp, but 170 is probably too low (isn't the middle mark on the temp gauge 180?). Also, I'm not sure how this could be done, as I'm pretty sure the computer controls the fans. The only time they run all the time is when the temp sensor is unplugged. Does anyone know if the same temp sensor that controls the fans provides the dash reading as well?
The size of the radiator may shouldn't be the problem, at least in my case the car ran nice and cool at the middle mark before the gasket replacement.
My guess is probably the radiator flush. When your gaskets blew, did you have oil in your coolant? I can still see some of the residue from it in the surge tank, although the coolant itself looks pretty clean. I'll be getting it flushed in about two weeks when I go home for the summer. The dealership here in Irvine wanted $260 for the power flush, which seems pretty steep.
tjlnwarren
06-02-2005, 10:35 AM
No, I never noticed oil in my coolant after the gaskets were leaking. Of course they flushed the radiator when the gaskets were replaced. I also have not replaced the radiator because I only have 55, 000 miles on the car. I drove the kids to the grandparents over the weekend driving a total of 440 miles round trip. For some reason the temperatire has been staying right at the midrange even at the idle. Now that the fans are cutting on earlier, I have not had temperature spikes. I am very careful though, to not let the car idle for long periods of time.
Now I did notice that the gas gauge wanted to stay at the full mark even when I had driven over 100 miles. I typically get 27-29 miles on the highway and 23-25 in the city, but the gas gauge seems to be sticking. I read a post a few weeks ago that someone else had the same problem. Does anyone have a comment regarding that issue.
Now I did notice that the gas gauge wanted to stay at the full mark even when I had driven over 100 miles. I typically get 27-29 miles on the highway and 23-25 in the city, but the gas gauge seems to be sticking. I read a post a few weeks ago that someone else had the same problem. Does anyone have a comment regarding that issue.
wymi
06-02-2005, 11:13 AM
No, I never noticed oil in my coolant after the gaskets were leaking. Of course they flushed the radiator when the gaskets were replaced. I also have not replaced the radiator because I only have 55, 000 miles on the car. I drove the kids to the grandparents over the weekend driving a total of 440 miles round trip. For some reason the temperatire has been staying right at the midrange even at the idle. Now that the fans are cutting on earlier, I have not had temperature spikes. I am very careful though, to not let the car idle for long periods of time.
Now I did notice that the gas gauge wanted to stay at the full mark even when I had driven over 100 miles. I typically get 27-29 miles on the highway and 23-25 in the city, but the gas gauge seems to be sticking. I read a post a few weeks ago that someone else had the same problem. Does anyone have a comment regarding that issue.
Did u change the coolant sensor that is located in the thermostat housing? What did u use to change it, how much did the sensor cost? Did a lot of coolant leak out & did u bleed the system when you were done?
Now I did notice that the gas gauge wanted to stay at the full mark even when I had driven over 100 miles. I typically get 27-29 miles on the highway and 23-25 in the city, but the gas gauge seems to be sticking. I read a post a few weeks ago that someone else had the same problem. Does anyone have a comment regarding that issue.
Did u change the coolant sensor that is located in the thermostat housing? What did u use to change it, how much did the sensor cost? Did a lot of coolant leak out & did u bleed the system when you were done?
mobil_12
06-09-2005, 09:56 PM
The power flush is a good idea and well worth the money (about $80-90 is average for long life coolant that your car came with).
Average operating temperature for your car is 210 deg. The engine should have a 190 deg thermostat from factory. The fans probably wont come on till around 220 or maybe even 225.
The sensor on the intake manifold near the thermostat is the sensor that the computer uses to turn on the fans. See if you can borrow a laser temp reader from someone or a parts store and verify that the sensors are reading the correct temp.
These engines are notorious for having air pockets in them after having the cooling system seviced. When the engine is cold, open the coolant fill cap and open the bleeder valve on the coolant tube by the water pump ( its the highest point in the cooling system ) and see if any air comes out, if it does, wait unitl coolant comes out and close the valve and top off the coolant tank. There might also be a bleeder valve on the thermostat housing near the upper radiator hose. Do the same with this valve. Its cheap and well worth a try.
My wife has 200 malibu and it runs about 210, half way on the guage all the time, in town or on the highway.
Average operating temperature for your car is 210 deg. The engine should have a 190 deg thermostat from factory. The fans probably wont come on till around 220 or maybe even 225.
The sensor on the intake manifold near the thermostat is the sensor that the computer uses to turn on the fans. See if you can borrow a laser temp reader from someone or a parts store and verify that the sensors are reading the correct temp.
These engines are notorious for having air pockets in them after having the cooling system seviced. When the engine is cold, open the coolant fill cap and open the bleeder valve on the coolant tube by the water pump ( its the highest point in the cooling system ) and see if any air comes out, if it does, wait unitl coolant comes out and close the valve and top off the coolant tank. There might also be a bleeder valve on the thermostat housing near the upper radiator hose. Do the same with this valve. Its cheap and well worth a try.
My wife has 200 malibu and it runs about 210, half way on the guage all the time, in town or on the highway.
bcopeland
03-05-2006, 08:03 PM
Well I have about 175K and am now on my 3rd intake manifold gasket. How does that sound?
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