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Hale0124
New User
Jan 19, 2010, 4:55 PM
Post #1 of 5
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02 impala overheating
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I have a Chevy 02 impala with a 3.4L engine with 97k miles. The car overheats quite a bit, and not sure why or how to fix it. I've had the radiator flushed, replaced the thermastat, replaced the water pump, and pressure checked it and all of the fans work but the heating gauge still fluxuates and the car still overheats. What could the problem be? Another question; I've read that a leaking head gasket could cause air pockets in the cooling system. Could this have anything to do with the car overheating?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 19, 2010, 5:09 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: 02 impala overheating
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Yes, a head gasket can cause this as in some they can fail to put exhaust gasses into cooling system. Test for fumes of exhaust in cooling system to rule it in or out, T
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2010, 1:01 AM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: 02 impala overheating
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this engine is a habitual offender for both head gaskets and intake gaskets. Do you have coolant in your oil yet? You said you pressure tested it. Do you mean you just pumped some pressure in it and didn't see any drips or did you pump it to the relief pressure of your cap and let it sit for an hour to see if you lost pressure? I'm sure the engine has some grime on it by now. Get some degreaser and head to your local car wash if you don't have a pressure washer. Spray on the cleaner and let it set. Blast all the crap off your motor you can. Pay special attention to where the lower intake meets the block at the front and rear of the motor. Clean it well. Then run it and see what you find. Give it a pressure test to see what it does hot. If you have to, put a dye in the coolant and get out a black light. Biggest demon with these is the front and rear of the motor leaking from the intake. They can blow head gaskets bad too, so if the intake checks out look toward that. Best of luck to you. Get back to us with what you find
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Hale0124
New User
Jan 26, 2010, 6:31 PM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: 02 impala overheating
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ok after some minor problems i checked with the local autoparts but none of them seem to know how to check coolant for anything but temperature.As for the presure check it was checked at 15lbs fro 20 mins but that was cold.I'll check the caskets like you said thank for all great tips keep up the good work
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2010, 10:35 PM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: 02 impala overheating
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The kit you are looking for is called a block check kit but to be honest I've never had much luck with those especially with remote mount reservoirs. The only time they've work for me was when the head gasket was so bad it's totally obvious & you didn't need the kit. Basically the blue fluid turns yellow if there are gases in the system. With ones early on, like possibly yours, the only way I've found them is with an exhaust gas analyzer or a leakdown check. I can't think of a simple way for a DIYer to test for this.......maybe just running straight air with a compressor into the cylinders & looking for bubbles in the reservoir.
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