Hey everybody I got a 99 grand am coupe an d lately been having overheating problems. I've replace everything cooling system(water pump, radiator, hoses, Tstat, coolant temp sensor, reservoir , and head gaskets.) and car still gets hots. The fans kick on and I've bled and flushed the system, but now I'm lost. I've had a couple people look at it and they all tell me to do what I've already done. Just wondering if anyone out there has any ideas? Also it seems like the thermostat does not open at the right temp and my upper radiator hose makes a sort of "spitting" sound when my car is hot and I shut it off ..... Ideas?
99 grand am gt overheat
- Thread starter andycaino
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richardgriese
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Video the spitting. If the car is/was overheating, and all you did was replace the head gasket, you probably have warped the heads. This causes there to still be a leak and allow air in the system. Double check to see coolant is not disappearing and that there is not excessive pressure in the system. Feel the upper rad hose for a "foamy" feeling (wear gloves). Also, how is the heat. Did you replace those heater hoses on the back - wouldn't want to have another head gasket issue with overheating if those spring a leak.
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thermostat you can test in a pot of boiling water. head gasket issue do a test for hydrocarbons in the engine coolant. have you verified the actual temperature with a IR gun or how else are you determining overheating, just by the gauge?
First thanks for the replies . But it seems I've narrowed it down to a head gasket (again) hopefully nothing warped . Dropped the oil this morning and it was runny so definitely some water in there. It doesn't seem like much so I'm wondering if I didn't torque the head bolts right pretty sure I did but who knows. I did not replace the heater hoses in the back but they seemed fine no noticeable leak. As for verifying temp I just used the gauge . Unfortunately I'm strapped on time and probably won't be able to get to it until next weekend.....also I need to ask if one head is machined and the other isn't how much of a problem would this cause ? ..... Any tips so I don't have to replace another gasket in the future
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richardgriese
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Machine both and be done with it. Definitely replace those heater hoses. If that blows you are going to lose coolant and probably warp a head; think of it this way, if you're driving down the highway and it bursts (because it's old, lest you've already replaced) then you're SOL until it cools to replace the hose - assuming you have a replacement hose handy and some tools! Plus those hoses are cheap & easy to replace. Also use new hose clamps.
Also if you're super tight on time, you could buy/exchange the head(s) at a head shop. They service many cylinder head and have many in stock. They are completely rebuilt & painted. These shops take heads in any condition - cracked, warped, ect. They run about $150 a head here in the DFW.
As mel stated, get a good IR thermometer and manually check that it is overheating. You need to have those heads check after they have overheated because they have a tenancy to warp when overheated.
Also if you're super tight on time, you could buy/exchange the head(s) at a head shop. They service many cylinder head and have many in stock. They are completely rebuilt & painted. These shops take heads in any condition - cracked, warped, ect. They run about $150 a head here in the DFW.
As mel stated, get a good IR thermometer and manually check that it is overheating. You need to have those heads check after they have overheated because they have a tenancy to warp when overheated.