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02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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MarineVet05
New User
Aug 30, 2009, 3:43 AM
Post #1 of 19
(15742 views)
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02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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First off let me say, Thank You in advance.
2002
Chevrolet
Cavalier
2.2 L
56,000 miles
I have a problem with overheating, last week I was driving home with the A/C on and the car just started to overheat (Never had problem before). Shut it down and towed home, changed the thermostat (180 Degree). Same problem, temperature just keeps climbing. Changed the water pump and serpentine belt. Same thing, Keeps overheating. Flushed the entire system out, Heater core, Radiator, Took the Reservoir tank off and flushed it, Hoses....anything I could find. Put all new 50/50 mix back in. Cycled it a few times and checked the level. Started driving it with the heater off car ran normal (195-200), turned the heater on and the temperature started to climb, 215, 220, 235... I turned the heater off and continued driving about 35-45 mph and the temperature dropped back down to 195-200. Now I don't have a full head of hair  , But now I have even less from pulling it out. I have bounced this off several auto mechanic friends and they came up with I need a new reservoir pressure cap (Done), I need to burp the system (Done), Etc, Etc..... PLEASE HELP.
Anything you guys can come up with will be appreciated. By the way this is the first posting for me here, and if i posted in the wrong section I apologize.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 3:59 AM
Post #2 of 19
(15730 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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One this one considering every thing you've done I would probably confirm that it is actually overheating. Does it seem like it's getting hot, any obvious signs?
If you have access to a scanner, compare what the computer is seeing to what is registering on the gauge. If not, use a temp gun around the T stat housing and see what kind of a reading you are getting..
(This post was edited by Sidom on Aug 30, 2009, 3:59 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 5:20 AM
Post #3 of 19
(15726 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Put the OE thermostat back in asap! 180F is just as open as OE at 195F so that was a foolish move and confuses the car.
Use an infrared thermo if needed to see where heat goes or doesn't,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 5:30 AM
Post #4 of 19
(15722 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Have you checked the coolant level to determine if it's lost any coolant?
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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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MarineVet05
New User
Aug 30, 2009, 5:45 AM
Post #5 of 19
(15715 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Tom, I looked this up in chilton's, and 180 is OE according to them. Also, I threw the old thermostat out. Can you explain what you mean by confusing the car? (UPDATE) ...I drove the car this morning for 30 minutes (outside temp 65) and the temp stayed around 195-198. Put the heat on and it started climbing to about 225 or so. Coolant level was perfect before test. Just checked it now that it's cooled down, still good. Oil level has not changed. Could it be a bad heater core? I really can't afford to keep changing parts without cause. I've read some of the responses on this site and you guys are very clever in your thoughts. I'm crossing my fingers for the "MAGIC" answer.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 6:49 AM
Post #6 of 19
(15709 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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  "Notes: 180 degrees Original equipment temperature. " ******************************** Egad! I stand corrected! 180 was OE and my fault entirely. Many for decades have been 192-195F and lowering that doesn't solve an overheat problem. If a car was designed for the higher temp it can think it's too cold and make wrong adjustments - not the case here. Now it's back to basics. Why did it overheat to begin with? From that you need know if all air is out - not just the recovery tank, and proceed with diagnostics for usuals like no fan or at worst a head gasket issue. Try to avoid replacing parts as a solution, both costly and screws up a diagnosis IMO. Can you feel heat blowing off radator? Also - can you verify if it's really overheating or just bad info?? Sorry for the mistake in OE temp spec., T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 7:20 AM
Post #7 of 19
(15705 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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I'm not sure what your reading but this car takes a 195 thermostat.
The electric fans don't even come on until 223 degrees. In slow traffic, 225 to 230 is acceptable and normal
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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 30, 2009, 7:25 AM
Post #8 of 19
(15701 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Crap! That's what AutoZones parts said!! WT hell do I know? If there's a mistake in all that it sure isn't helping the fix!
Folks used 160s and 180s in boats TMK NOT cars!
T??
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 7:30 AM
Post #9 of 19
(15695 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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You know, I'm finding that in the application catalogs too but I find it hard to believe. I don't think an 02 car can pass emissions with a 180
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 7:34 AM
Post #10 of 19
(15692 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Cooling System Description and Operation
Cooling Fan Control
The engine cooling fan system consists of one cooling fan and one relay. The relay is powered by the battery positive voltage circuit and controlled by a switched ground from the powertrain control module (PCM) .
During operation, the PCM supplies the ground path for the cooling fan relay through the cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the cooling fan fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the cooling fan. The cooling fan motor is grounded through its own ground circuit.
The PCM commands the fan on under the following conditions:
- Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 106°C (223°F) .
- A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1310 kPa (190 psi) .
- A/C is requested and vehicle speed is below 100 km/h (62 MPH) with A/C pressure above 1413 kPa (205 PSI) .
- Vehicle speed is less than 8 km/h (5 mph) for more than 750 seconds. The fan will turn off when vehicle speed is greater than 8 km/h (5 mph) for more than 20 seconds.
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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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MarineVet05
New User
Aug 30, 2009, 8:12 AM
Post #11 of 19
(15686 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Tom And Hammer, I just checked with Hanes repair guide and it backs-up Hammer's point of 195 degree for 2.2 OHV. But, it also says 180 for a 2.2L OHC. Now, when I went to Advanced Auto they asked for the 8th letter of the VIN which is a "4" which I was told means I have a 2.2L OHC which calls for a 180 thermostat. Now, I also must say that the car always ran about 195 (according to the dash gauge)before this happened. And, it's running about 195 now (without the heater running). In your opinion, do you guys think it will make a difference to switch this T-stat out to a 195? At this point I'll try just about anything.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 8:15 AM
Post #12 of 19
(15682 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Show off! Good for you and nice find.
This "Bud's" for you,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 8:16 AM
Post #13 of 19
(15679 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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I don't think it will fix your problem either way. If your not losing any coolant and it''s still overheats at highway speeds, it's probably a restricted radiator.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 30, 2009, 8:18 AM
Post #14 of 19
(15677 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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We crossed swords for a second there.
VERIFY by VIN # if need be for correct temp. Trust me - it matters!
T
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MarineVet05
New User
Aug 30, 2009, 9:45 AM
Post #15 of 19
(15669 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Alright fellas, Newest update.. Drove it for the last 45-50 minutes. Temp was fluctuating between 197-225 with heat going and sitting still for 5-6 minutes(outside temp 71...Nice summer Chicago is having). Temp never went above 225. When driving about 40-50mph, temp stayed about 197-205. Maybe the flush treatment jarred something loose? Blockage worked it's way out? So I guess the question I have is, will driving the car within this temperature range be OK? Going to drive it to work tomorrow (about 32 miles), stop and go traffic.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 30, 2009, 10:01 AM
Post #16 of 19
(15666 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Those temps are all normal. You haven't really tested it on a hot day though. you likely need a radiator.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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sarah_9
New User
Sep 2, 2009, 8:50 PM
Post #17 of 19
(15648 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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Hello,
When the cooling system of engine fail to absorb, transport and dissipate heat it cause overheating in engine, use high quality coolant, make sure that there is no external or internal leak in coolant,poor airflow through the radiator or defective radiator cap may also cause overheating, so check all these points properly, you may find your solution there.
Regards,
sarah_9
Please remove the advertising from your signature ASAP
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 5, 2009, 11:52 AM)
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Robz327
New User
Oct 13, 2012, 7:17 PM
Post #18 of 19
(13031 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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All right guys Ive been dealing with same problem and have done a decent mount of research of the matter. This car from what i keep seeing likes to run @195. In my opinion as a machanic that just seems to high to be right. The thermo opens at 180 at that point the factory cooling system should be able to keep it at the mark. Things to check is the temp differeces between the upper and lower radiator hoses the top one should be hot and the bot slightly cooler as it takes in water from the rad at the bottom. Also check the temp of the radiator at first I had no heat on one side and absolutly no heat on the lower hose. I ran thro the whole system forced water through the entire system to ensure there was no blockage. After this I have noticed that my lower hose its now getting hot and the radiator dosent have any cold spots. Perhasps there was a clog somewhere I cant say for sure but now knowing my water is going through the system the damn car still runs at 195. It dont get into the 200s at all but My gut tells me that 195 isnt where the motor should be at. I continued doing research and only thing that makes sense is the head gasket leaking exhaust into the coolant as everyone is having the same concerns about the temp being @ 195 and I read a ton of times that people are replacing everything in the cooling system and still having the car sit at 195. If theres no lost of water its still posible to have the head leaking HOT exhaust into the water jackets of the motor rasing the temp as the factory didnt plan on having hot exhaust in there coolant. To check for this Im told to use a smoge snifer to check for hydrocarbons.
I'm not sure what your reading but this car takes a 195 thermostat. (180 degree)
The electric fans don't even come on until 223 degrees. (223 is WAY to high to be the turn on point for your fan needs to kick on round 180)
In your personal case Id say your problem is the fan not turning on at 180 like it supposed to. Now my fan kicks on perfectly @180 and I know my cooling system is 100% and the dam car wont stay under 195 . the only two problem left would be extremely lean fuel mixture or the dam head gasket. Lean mixture should set a DTC and there should be a lose in performance which I dont feel at all. My personal opinion is that this motor has a bad designed head that commonly leaks exhaust into coolant OF corse a head gasket is not something you want to just go a replace as it cost $$$$$$$ if you dont do it yourself *******DONT REPLACE THE HEADGASKET UNLESS YOU HAVE HYDROCARBONS IN YOUR COOLANT AND DONT GUESS EITHER KNOW FOR SURE BEFORE YOU GO AND DO SUCH A REPAIR*******. BUT I feel its worth testing the coolant for hydrocarbons thats my next step in the process of keeping this 2.2L from running hot. Ill post the results of my hydrocarbon test soon as I do it
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 13, 2012, 7:22 PM
Post #19 of 19
(13026 views)
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Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier overheating
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This thread is 3 years old.
Please read rules before posting.
http://autoforums.carjunky.com/...ORE_POSTING_P123003/
I would advise anyone reading this to ignore the previous post as it is full of incorrect information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Oct 13, 2012, 7:40 PM)
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