I am having coolant circulating issues on my '03 pace car, engines been getting so hot that its wrecking stuff BUT my temp gauge is not showing excessive temps? replaced heater hoses, they were like mush,flushed heater core, water pump was leaking and elbows, replaced all those,both rad hoses were super spongy, replaced. seen something floating in radiater from upper rad nipple but could not get with needle nose before it sunk? I havent replaced the upper or lower intake gaskets and manifold yet, BUT no sign of coolant in oil,oil in coolant, no smoke from exhaust, runs decent just not circulating?? changing out coolant temp sensor on Friday, just trying not to have to pull the rad out as its a pain in the *** ! HELP ! , Suggestions !! thanks, Claydoh

 

As for your issues, what makes you think the coolant is not circulating and "wrecking stuff"?
When watching the temp gauge, does it rise as the engine warms up? Have you tried using a scan tool to read the PCM and see if the temp the PCM is reading matches?
As for pulling the radiator, really not that hard. I've done a few W-Body radiator pulls to change the AC condensers. And just recently change the radiator last spring on the 2000 Monte I have. A little time consuming, about it. But I would not change it without a proven reason to change it.

 

I think the coolant isnt circulating because even tho the dash temp gauge is no excessive, the engine is getting super hot and upper rad hose super hot but open rad cap and coolant is cool? I guess since the dash gauge never went way up that Ive been driving it a little while with this issue which in turn fried my water pump, the o rings on the elbows were almost melted, the thermostat gasket was melted-ish, heater and rad hoses were real flimsy. today we flushed radiater in car, put new coolant temp sensor in, refilled coolant and car did the same thing even as far as shooting steam out of bleeder screw on thermostat housing like a tea kettle on a stove !! I ordered new upper manifold kit tonight to replace as I cant think of anything else it could be since we have virtually replaced the entire cooling system! HELP PLEASE !! Can you post this in repair help for me so others can see and respond? Thank you Maniac...Claydoh

 

Anyone following this thread, I moved it to the correct spot and change the subject line to fit.

 

I would not jump yet to change the intake gaskets. Sounds like you do have a problem! I am concerned as to why this issue is not manifesting in spiking temperature readings (I would still try to check what the PCM is actually reading for the temperature). Hearing evidence of melted gaskets, engine being hot and coolant not so hot yet you mention getting steam out of the bleeder valve. I know years ago, I had a 3100 powered car and the temp kept spiking, I got to a point of pulling over and opening the bleed valve and it shot out lots of air. The kicker was, everything was pretty normal temp. that car had a blown head gasket and was sending compression gases into the cooling system. I doubt that is what is happening for you.

If you turn on the heat on your HVAC controls to full blast, how does it feel? Cold, warm or hot??
You mentioned flushing the heater core, but it might be best to flush the entire cooling system. This might also give an idea of how good or bad circulation is. If you connect a garden hose to it and you are barely getting a trickle, then something is gunked up somewhere.

 

Have you drove it with the T-sat out, to see if the engine stays cool. If you are not getting circulation the top of the radiator will be cooler than normal.

 

first thank you ! second, when we ran it last when the steam was coming out of bleeder screw I turned the heat on max and it took some time to blow warm but never got real warm then we shut her down because of the steam! Im gonna bypass heater core take out thermostat and see what she does? would a radiator that has a crack or ? or not holding pressure cause it not to circulate??

 

Thanks Zippy! Im gonna try that tomorrow along with bypassing heater hoses

 

how do I read the PCM ? all I have is a OBDII scan tool

 

I also noticed that my motor mount on passenger side is cracked ! the mount that is bolted to block ? siver color that the dog bones attach to! what the hell could cause this ? I have'nt noticed the car jerking or anything! I really am at my wits end with this car !