01 Grand Am Overheating

[jbf]

I have a 2001 Grand Am, 4 cylinder, that is overheating. At first we thought it was the thermostat, so we took it out and it runs fine/doesn't overheat, so we figured that was the problem. Put a new thermostat in, and it started running hot again. Next we changed the radiator, since we thought that was the only other thing it could be, but that still didn't work, still ran hot. We took the new thermostat out, and it runs fine. Checked both thermostats in hot water to make sure they'd open, and they're both fine.

I've been reading other websites to try to see what else it can be, and the only thing I can find is that some people have fixed overheating problems like this by changing the reservoir/cap, because apparently they can get worn out and the seal fails so that the coolant just leaks out through the reservoir. Could this be my problem?

The reason I haven't just tried it yet is because I don't want to go out and spend more money, when this doesn't really make sense to me. If that's the problem, then it should still overheat even with the thermostat out, which it doesn't do.

With the thermostat in, it doesn't get hot when it's just at idle, but as soon as I drive it at all, it shoots up to over 260F within a mile.

 

[melsg5]

did you check if the fans work and at what temperature?

 

[jbf]

Whenever it runs hot and I open the hood to put more water in it, the fans are spinning. I haven't done any more extensive tests.

 

[oldhippie]

Whenever it runs hot and I open the hood to put more water in it, the fans are spinning. I haven't done any more extensive tests.

Get the cooling system pressure tested. Good chance it's a head or intake gasket. Are you loosing coolant and/or finding any coolant on the ground under the engine?
Screwing around could cost you more for repairs in the long run.

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[Jessxo]

might be leaking into the head gasket. grand Ams are known for this

 

[Roadrunner]

might be leaking into the head gasket. grand Ams are known for this

94 and under are known for this (Quad 4).. This is the variant (2.4 twincam non quad 4)Which has none of that, and all most no problems except the water pump

 

[jbf]

I just had an unrelated problem and changed the head gasket, so I doubt it's that. It was overheating before we changed the head gasket and it's still doing it. It fixed the other problem I was having though.

 

[Roadrunner]

I would Check your oil, see if it has a muddy creamy look to it..If not, look at the coolant and see if it has the same thing.If not, see if you have blue smoke comming from the tail pipe if you have none of these then your head gasket should be good..and yes change the cap since there is a pressure release in it..and make sure it is always 50/50 coolant..never just add water since it will cause the car to overheat..and since you seem to be losing coolant check the heater core, if your front passenger side carpet is wet then the heater core is bad..make sure the coolant is full run the car for 5 mins and check the carpet..give feed back to us when you get more info so we can help you figure out the issue

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[Roadrunner]

I just had an unrelated problem and changed the head gasket, so I doubt it's that. It was overheating before we changed the head gasket and it's still doing it. It fixed the other problem I was having though.

did you change the water pump?

 

[jbf]

The oil did have a milky appearance to it, that's why we changed the head gasket, but that had been happening before the overheating problem started. The oil doesn't look milky anymore since the head gasket was changed. No blue smoke from the exhaust. No water on the passenger floor, so I guess the heater core is good.

I haven't changed the water pump since the overheating problem started, but it was leaking 3 months ago so I changed it then. I guess it could have broken again in 3 months, but that seems unlikely and I don't see any leaks from it.

The cheapest/easiest thing for now seems like putting the thermostat back in and changing the reservoir cap. I'll try that in the next few days, but that just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Roadrunner]

The oil did have a milky appearance to it, that's why we changed the head gasket, but that had been happening before the overheating problem started. The oil doesn't look milky anymore since the head gasket was changed. No blue smoke from the exhaust. No water on the passenger floor, so I guess the heater core is good.

I haven't changed the water pump since the overheating problem started, but it was leaking 3 months ago so I changed it then. I guess it could have broken again in 3 months, but that seems unlikely and I don't see any leaks from it.

The cheapest/easiest thing for now seems like putting the thermostat back in and changing the reservoir cap. I'll try that in the next few days, but that just doesn't make sense to me.

Put the thermastat back in? but yes the cap will definitely cause the car to over heat..did you get a rebuilt water pump?, if so it is likely but still unlikely..now if you bought a new pump then your good..but these motors run hot of the line do to how they are built,which is not a bad thing some cars just work better at a higher temp.. but if one thing goes bad on the cooling system the car over heats..so replace the cap make sure you use 50/50..if you use to much water the car WILL run hot

 

[Zimgxp]

Water boils at 212 degrees. If you mix it with antifreeze and pressurise the system, it raises the boiling point to aprox, 260 degrees

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