1996 Grand Am Still hot.

It`s my wifes 96 2.4 Grand Am again. First thing was to put in new therostat,that did not help.Then had a new Radiator put in,still runs hot when the car is not moving,You get out on the street and drive and the temp go back to norm.One guy said it maybe a head gasgett.But I have not seen any water in the oil or oil in the water/Anti.and have not seen any spots on the drive way where she parks her car. I`m running out of things to check.Any help ?

Tom

does the temp gauge show the car is overheating when idling? Depending on the outside temp and humidity it's not uncommon for grand ams or any car to get a bit hotter at idle than driving. It shouldn't go into the unsafe zone of the temp gauge though. Something to check, does the radiator fan come on when the temp gets hotter? If it's not coming on then you know why it's running cool while driving and hot while idling.

It`s my wifes 96 2.4 Grand Am again. First thing was to put in new therostat,that did not help.Then had a new Radiator put in,still runs hot when the car is not moving,You get out on the street and drive and the temp go back to norm.One guy said it maybe a head gasgett.But I have not seen any water in the oil or oil in the water/Anti.and have not seen any spots on the drive way where she parks her car. I`m running out of things to check.Any help ?

Tom


If the engine is actualy overheating and gauge indicates overheating, but the fan is not coming on, engine coolant temperature (ECT ) sensor may have slipped out of calibration and should be replaced, If the engine overheats and the fan is on....Then you have a different problem in the cooling system. The ECT should be located at the left rear of the engine....

The radiator fan comes on,the temp gauge goes into the red .When the car is moving it goes back to norm,Maybe air in the lines ?? ,And I`ll checj the ECT.

Tom

The radiator fan comes on,the temp gauge goes into the red .When the car is moving it goes back to norm,Maybe air in the lines ?? ,And I`ll checj the ECT.

Tom

Everytime you drain and refill the coolant you gotta make sure you get the air out of the system.

check the front of your air conditioning condenser for blockage. Dirt, leaves, cardboard, etc will hamper your airflow across the radiator. Also when filling the radiator make sure you get all the air out, some engines will have bleeder screws to open to release the air inside while filling the radiator.

Well now it in the shop again,This time I went with her and the engine overheated even as we were going 55 mph.I had to have her pull over at a parking lot.I smelled that nasty smell of hot antifrezze.I looked under the car and it was dripping alot of antifrezze from the front of the engine.Water pump time now.I`d do it my self but what I`v read on here that it is a pain to do. But the time I have this car of hers going good it will be have new parts in it.I told her to buy the Ford T=Bird but it was not her color,Funny her car is GREEN,Just what I`m putting out for it.

Tom/Ford guy