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1998 Chevy Lumina 3.1L overheating issues
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brando_is_dtf
New User
Aug 11, 2009, 2:54 AM
Post #1 of 3
(13696 views)
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1998 Chevy Lumina 3.1L overheating issues
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Let me start out with the basic issue; The temp gauge shoots up to red, the coolant is boiling over, and I have to pull over.
Work done on the car so far;
New water pump
multiple coolant flushes [over 5 in the past 3 months since I bought the car]
New intake manifold gaskets
Thermostat was put in, didn't work and was removed [car now has no thermostat, coolant *should* always go through the rad]
New radiator cap
Symptoms;
Runs fine for miles, sometimes across the entire city.
If I go on a highway then exit or slow down dramatically, the temperature quickly goes up and the car overheats.
If I go up a hill, the car overheats very quickly
If I sit at a stoplight, the car gets hot but doesn't quite overheat.
Sometimes, hitting the gas cools it down dramatically [1/2 of the entire gauge]
There is a bit of mucky stuff in the coolant tank, I assume it's leftover stuff, it's remained in there through all the coolant flushes [clog?]
Moisture came out of the A/C last time it overheated, sort of slimy buildup on the steering wheel and the vents from it.
Engine code for multiple misfires- may be unrelated
bubbles in the coolant, even if the car isn't that hot the coolant will have little bubbles going in the tank
No apparent coolant in the oil; check it all the time to see if there is
I just got this car, and since the day after I bought it it's been overheating.
I'm almost out of options; I'm looking to just go buy a honda or something, but if I can save this car I would like to, so any help is appreciated 
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 11, 2009, 3:59 AM
Post #2 of 3
(13682 views)
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Re: 1998 Chevy Lumina 3.1L overheating issues
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The very first thing you have to do is immediatly put the correct thermostat back in the car. You cannot run these cars without a thermostat. They have to be a a minimum temp or your fuel mixture will get all messed up. Make sure you bleed all the air out of the system when you refill it. Now you have to determine if it's actually overheating because the cooling fans aren't programmed to come on until approx 228 degrees. That's pretty high on the scale but that's how it's supposed to work. Make sure the fans work. They should come on with the A/C.
When all that is ruled out, then you may have a cracked head or blown head gasket. This engine is very notorious for both.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 11, 2009, 11:31 PM
Post #3 of 3
(13671 views)
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Thermostat's left out - Big time no go!
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To add re thermostats: They serve a huge purpose as Hammer Time mentioned. When they are removed entirely the hole/port they occupied is many times the space of even one stuck wide open but in place. That is a metered restriction such that water pump which is always working keeps the temp of coolant uniform throughout the engine via the by-pass system. When just a couple cylinders get wild coolant flow the distant ones (from pump) overheat (unseen) and metals/gaskets etc want uniformity. It's a good way to crack an engine or ruin gaskets too frail to handle the wild temp differences,
T
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