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09 Silverado overheating?


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ussessex
User

Sep 6, 2013, 8:10 AM

Post #1 of 13 (3881 views)
09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

I have an 09 Silverado with a 5.3L 8 cylinder just under 100k miles

Recently it has started to seem to run hot. The gauge usually runs at mid scale and now runs up to 3/4. This happens whether I am moving or sitting still. There are no outward signs of overheating other than this but I have been pulling over when it shows hot. On cold startups it seems normal for a while and then the gauge jumps up somewhat quickly. More quickly than you would expect given that changing water temperature is a slow process.

I have not seen water boiling over and the fans seem to operate normally.

The first time it happened, I let it cool for a bit and then turned on the heater to see if it had water. No heat at all from the vents. Assuming that the thermostat was bad, I let the engine cool and then went directly home to replace it. I didn't loose all of the factory colored antifreeze but did top it off with regular green antifreeze which I had on hand.

Following the replacement of the T stat, I initially saw the same result on the gauge but then burped the overflow container and added more fluid and it seemed ok. The temp dropped close to the normal temperature and I chalked up the slightly higher value to the new Thermostat.

The next day it was back to it's old tricks. Not using water at all and I have no leaks by the water pump. I have pinched the radiator hose and think I can feel flow through it. I am at the end of the road for ideas on next steps to troubleshoot. HELP!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 6, 2013, 8:22 AM

Post #2 of 13 (3876 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In


Quote
I didn't loose all of the factory colored antifreeze but did top it off with regular green antifreeze which I had on hand.


That was a big mistake. Now it needs to be flushed thoroughly until all coolant is gone and then refilled with Dexcool again.

You also need to pressure test the cooling system to see if it has any leaks. If you see any red clay like deposits anywhere, you will need some serious acid flushing. You need to find out what the reason was for having no heat, whether it be air pockets from being low on coolant or a plugged up heater core. That will give you an idea why it's overheating.



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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.



ussessex
User

Sep 6, 2013, 8:31 AM

Post #3 of 13 (3873 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

Can you please elaborate on the consequences of mixing or replacing the antifreeze?

Also, I should have added that the heater did work following the replacement of the thermostat. I have to admit though that I haven't tried it again since.

Thanks in advance


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 6, 2013, 8:54 AM

Post #4 of 13 (3860 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

Dexcool will not work if it's contaminated. I have heard that it causes a gel when mixed but i have never seen that happen.



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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.



Tom Greenleaf
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Sep 6, 2013, 10:30 PM

Post #5 of 13 (3835 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

They are both exactly ethylene glycol - no harm same crap different color only,

T



Hammer Time
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Hammer Time profile image

Sep 7, 2013, 3:09 AM

Post #6 of 13 (3830 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In


Quote
no harm same crap different color only,


No, not true at all

Dexcool is a silicate and Phosphate free coolant and cannot be contaminated with green coolant.


http://www.recycool.net/index.php?option=com_content&id=14:antifreeze



http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool/


http://autos.aol.com/article/coolant-color/



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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.



Tom Greenleaf
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Sep 7, 2013, 6:44 AM

Post #7 of 13 (3825 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

That's what GM wants you to think and apparently you can't think on your own so listen to a company that required billions to bail out instead those who know WTF they are doing,

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 7, 2013, 7:31 AM

Post #8 of 13 (3820 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In


Quote
That's what GM wants you to think and apparently you can't think on your own so listen to a company that required billions to bail out instead those who know WTF they are doing,



I'm speechless....................

That post speaks for itself. No need to even comment on that one



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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.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Sep 7, 2013, 7:46 AM

Post #9 of 13 (3815 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

This is what GM says about it,

Quote
Contamination


Mixing conventional green coolant with DEX-COOL(R) will degrade the service interval from 5 yrs./150,000 miles (240,000 km) to 2 yrs./30,000 miles (50,000 km) if left in the contaminated condition. If contamination occurs, the cooling system must be flushed twice immediately and re-filled with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL(R) and clean water in order to preserve the enhanced properties and extended service interval of DEX-COOL(R).


Not something I would do though. Like Dex-cool has extended service intervals anyway...LOL


Another thing I heard is that systems designed for Dex-cool you shouldn't use conventional green in because of something with water pump seal incompatibility.

Our shop uses whatever the manufacture of the vehicle recommends. We don't want to take any chances of wrecking anything because we used the wrong coolant.

The best thing to do if your low on coolant and don't have the equipment to find the leak at the time is to just pour in straight water.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 7, 2013, 7:52 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
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Sep 7, 2013, 7:47 AM

Post #10 of 13 (3814 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

Thank you. For once you make some format of sense,

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 7, 2013, 9:20 AM

Post #11 of 13 (3806 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

Yep, sounds pretty much the same thing I said before the nonsense started.



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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.



ussessex
User

Sep 9, 2013, 7:12 AM

Post #12 of 13 (3762 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

Thanks for zeroing in on my problem of the truck overheating.

The last work performed on this vehicle was to replace the serpentine belt which was not done correctly. The belt was not slipped all the way over the harmonic balance pulley which drives the accessories. The thinking is that the belt was slipping since not fully engaged on the pulley.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 9, 2013, 7:15 AM

Post #13 of 13 (3760 views)
Re: 09 Silverado overheating? Sign In

Not likely at all. Serpentine belts don't generally slip. They just fly off or shred if there is a problem.



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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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