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having major cooling issues

Old Jan 20, 2017 | 11:03 AM
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on my 2000 buick lesabre 3.8L I'v replaced the thermostat, water pump, and radiator. I had it pressure tested... no leaks found.... the fans and thermostat kicks in @ 225 degrees and then cycles back at around 212 degress ... has anyone encountered this problem before???
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:04 PM
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A bad coolant temperature sensor might explain the fans, but not the thermostat. Could be air in the system. How are you reading temperature? If you are just using the gage in the dash, that might also be the problem. Other than the gage, are there any other signs the engine is running hot ... excessive heat when you open the hood, more ticking noises from heat expansion than normal, etc..
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 03:19 PM
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If this is low speed or at idle, no A/C on, sounds perfectly normal.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 04:16 PM
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I say normal in those conditions because the thermostat really can be open, but the cooling fan programming (ECU) really will act that way. In hot weather, when the fan(*) run more (to cool the A/C condenser), the engine will run closer to thermostat temperature.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 2kg4u
A bad coolant temperature sensor might explain the fans, but not the thermostat. Could be air in the system. How are you reading temperature? If you are just using the gage in the dash, that might also be the problem. Other than the gage, are there any other signs the engine is running hot ... excessive heat when you open the hood, more ticking noises from heat expansion than normal, etc..
The Engine actually runs hot water fills the reservoir.... i tried to start it today actually ( atfer its been sitting for two months ) i may need to replace the starter ... I had it boost with my chevy malibuand it was making a loud single click on ignition.... the radio and lights work fine so I figure i have a bad starter solenoid
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 09:31 PM
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Try to make sure the engine will crank over by hand before messing with the starter too much.

The numbers you posted are typical running temperatures of this engine. I would test the radiator cap, and also check your coolant/water mix.

If you are running straight water on a bad radiator cap, the car WILL boil over under normal operating conditions, and then overheat once it has boiled all of its coolant away.

You may also want to double check to make sure the low speed fan is working. I seem to remember 225 being the high speed switch over point, but someone with manuals would need to confirm that.
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Old Jan 21, 2017 | 08:49 AM
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Running straight water in these engines is a no-no. This is why you are seeing higher than normal temps. Water boils over at 212, while 50-50 coolant has a higher boiling temp. Most 2000ish GM electric fan vehicles have 2 fan settings in the ECU. 216 turns on low fan and 226 turns on high speed fan mode. These are adjustable only via high priced software like HPTuners($500)
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