1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Need help with an overheating problem

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Old 11-24-2008, 12:58 PM
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Default Need help with an overheating problem

I gave my 92 SSE to my cousin and he said it'* overheating now. So I took it for a drive and he was correct. The car only overheats when driving, if I drive faster it overheats faster. It cools down real slowly when I'm stopped at a light. I checked the thermostat, I have coolant, the coolant in the radiator isn't boiling hot, because I checked it right after driving, I suspect that the radiator ISN'T clogged neither, since I've squeezed the top radiator hose and noticed the bubbling up or whatever in the overflow tank. I also check the water pump for leaking, but didn't find any.

Last edited by trigga_b; 11-24-2008 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Left out info
Old 11-24-2008, 05:25 PM
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I'm not sure what you mean when you say it'* not really overheating because you looked in the radiator right after it ran hot...

But lower radiator hose might be collapsing under suction from the water pump.

The water pump may have worn, broken, missing fins on the impeller.

The thermostat might not be in properly or opening properly.
Old 11-25-2008, 04:58 AM
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I just changed the thermostat to a 195, hoping that would solve my problem but it didn't. I was trying to say that the radiator is doing it'* job by cooling the coolant. BUT after running the engine to just above the red mark, I can hear the coolant bubbling inside the top radiator hose and near the water pump. Also, most of the coolant ends up in the overflow tank causing it to overflow (if the top was off). Oh yeah and the car never reaches the 280 degree mark.
Old 11-25-2008, 03:38 PM
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If you've got the right mixture of coolant to water in there, and it'* boiling, then your pressure cap isn't doing its job. The coolant won't boil if the cap is keeping the pressure in (within limits). I would take your cap to the local auto parts store and ask them to pressure-test it. Sounds like it'* leaking.
Old 11-25-2008, 03:49 PM
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Take cap off, start car and let heat up. Then carefully look inside. Is the coolant moving? Check lower hose for hard spots, or if it'* collapsed. You may have a bad water pump and it'* not moving the coolant very fast.
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