6th Gen ('00-'05): Engine overheating intermittently
#1
Engine overheating intermittently
I have been experiencing problems with my 05 Monte overheating sporadically. I have replaced my hoses, radiator, water pump, thermostat coolant temperature sensor, belt and tensioner. My oil is not cloudy and it passes a pressure test every time.
When I allow my car to hear up slowly before I drive it it does not overheat. My heat works fine at this point. However, when I start it and drive it immediately it inevitably overheats after about 3 miles. The heat also fails to work. The coolant won't drain into the radiator and when I bleed it only vapor comes out. I assume because there is not any or enough coolant in the system.
I am replacing the thermostat and gasket one more time but I'm afraid it won't be enough. Opinions please.
When I allow my car to hear up slowly before I drive it it does not overheat. My heat works fine at this point. However, when I start it and drive it immediately it inevitably overheats after about 3 miles. The heat also fails to work. The coolant won't drain into the radiator and when I bleed it only vapor comes out. I assume because there is not any or enough coolant in the system.
I am replacing the thermostat and gasket one more time but I'm afraid it won't be enough. Opinions please.
#2
Some times air will get into the system and that will cause it to overheat.
The other thing that can be an issue with the V-6's is the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets. I didn't think this was an issue at first and with my one SUV I couldn't get through the McD's drive through with out it going to overheat and the Fans kicked on and it was nuts. Had the Gaskets changed and Wa-La it was all taken care of.
The other thing that can be an issue with the V-6's is the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets. I didn't think this was an issue at first and with my one SUV I couldn't get through the McD's drive through with out it going to overheat and the Fans kicked on and it was nuts. Had the Gaskets changed and Wa-La it was all taken care of.
#4
"Warped heads"? It's funny how so many people on this forum defended the 3.4 when I said it was a piece of ****, and now I run across this....
#5
Never had one? Fantastic engines that do run for a long time. The Achilles heel seems to be those aluminum heads on the iron block coupled with overheating; and GM's crappy LIM gaskets but I've seen those in 3800s too. Truly a weak point, but on the driver to keep up maintenance. I'm somewhere around 180k miles original engine and transmission and I've heard much higher than that. I don't expect I'll have any problems for quite some time. Also I do want to differentiate and make clear I am referring to the LA1 3400.
Of course 3800s are legendary for a variety of reasons.
Of course 3800s are legendary for a variety of reasons.
#7
I am sure a lot of people will knock it and I've heard people on the fence about blue devil brand specifically, I have personally used a bottle of steel seal with success on a 3400 engine'd car I purchased some time ago.
I wouldn't recommend simply putting that in the system with existing coolant. I would put only distilled water and just that with maybe the t-stat out to allow it to pass easily. Just a few things I did to get it to take all those years ago.
I wouldn't recommend simply putting that in the system with existing coolant. I would put only distilled water and just that with maybe the t-stat out to allow it to pass easily. Just a few things I did to get it to take all those years ago.
#8
I'm really at my wits end with this car. I love my car but I feel like every time I fix one thing something else goes out. I have heard good things about blue devil but honestly I don't even think it's the gasket. If it happened all the time that would make more sense but it only tries to overheat when I drive it immediately after startup or if it's running well and then I turn the car off and turn it back on while it's still warm. I've had multiple mechanics from shade tree to ase certified stumped as to the cause.
#9
I have been experiencing problems with my 05 Monte overheating sporadically. I have replaced my hoses, radiator, water pump, thermostat coolant temperature sensor, belt and tensioner. My oil is not cloudy and it passes a pressure test every time.
When I allow my car to hear up slowly before I drive it it does not overheat. My heat works fine at this point. However, when I start it and drive it immediately it inevitably overheats after about 3 miles. The heat also fails to work. The coolant won't drain into the radiator and when I bleed it only vapor comes out. I assume because there is not any or enough coolant in the system.
I am replacing the thermostat and gasket one more time but I'm afraid it won't be enough. Opinions please.
When I allow my car to hear up slowly before I drive it it does not overheat. My heat works fine at this point. However, when I start it and drive it immediately it inevitably overheats after about 3 miles. The heat also fails to work. The coolant won't drain into the radiator and when I bleed it only vapor comes out. I assume because there is not any or enough coolant in the system.
I am replacing the thermostat and gasket one more time but I'm afraid it won't be enough. Opinions please.
I still have a feeling that if it is overheating and you are showing all of these signs, it is something to the effect of a warped head(s), then again you said coolant doesn't drain into the radiator, can you elaborate.
Remember not to mix those liquid sealers with any antifreeze. I think they may say it's ok, but I wouldn't trust it personally as I haven't done it/seen it. I have personally seen 2 3400s (though not in a Monte Carlo) have sighs very similar to this and in the end, we tried that steel seal which worked,so I recommend that but it's up to you.
I wish you the best and I hope you get this repaired; it's terrible to have a vehicle down around the holidays.