Advice with overheating w/o heat

[Bueno1986]

Ok I know there are several posts about this and I am pretty sure I read all of them ;( I need some advice my car is a redline w 34000 miles and this week it started overheating(220-250) to the point where I have to turn the car off. I turn on the heater and nothing but cold air comes out. it will get to irregular temperatures in minutes and driving at highway speed only seems to make it worse... I have checked the fans, and the coolant and that is not the issue. The problem isthat the overheating is random, it might happen or it might not. I was going to replace the thermostat but I decided to call the dealer and they told me to bring the car to them because the t stat is covered under powertrain. I was happy I took it, unfortunately since it did not overheat, their diagnose was "suspect the radiator is clogged up" so they wanted to send the radiator to a different shop to open it and find out what the problem is. Which will cost a fortune.and then if is not that then they will replace the tstat ;(... To me that does not make any sense.. Why start with the most complicated task when it the tstat failure is more common ... I decided to pay the 99dlls fee and go home to think about it... What do you all think ?? Sorry for the long thread

[DaveOC]

I think you have an air bubble in your system, let me find the fix over on the Solsticeforum, I'll be back shortly.

[EFBRODIESR]

It sounds more like a air in the system. There are post on here that explain how to get rid of the air. For some reason, air gets into the system from time to time and no one has explained specifically how it happens but it is not that hard to get rid of. Some have suggested that air gets into the system if you remove the fill cap to the expansion tank when the engine is hot but I am not sure how.

Some have had a coolant flush which resolved the problem.

The other problem may be an external clog of the radiator. Someone has posted how they cleaned out around the radiator and found all kinds of junk which blocked the air flow to the unit, causing overheating.

[DaveOC]

Here is the thread that includes the GM TSB at message 7:

Attention: For no heat/over heat issues - Pontiac Solstice Forum

There is an aditional TSB at message 71.

[Bueno1986]

Thats for the quick response. The thing is I have never opened the cap when hot. Well I have never opened the cap at all.. I tried squishing the hose just like the video said but I saw no bubbles.. Ill try again tomorrow.. ill also check the radiator maybe power wash it on the outside is a good idea

[dipolley]

Sounds like air in the system to me too. I had a similar problem this week. Even if you have tried to remove the air, sometime it takes several attempts to get it all.

This is what I did and it worked.
1) Mark the level in the expansion tank for reference. Then loosen the expansion tank by removing the black plastic clip on the front, and the 10mm screw on the engine side. Disconnect the sensor clip on the bottom. You may also have to disconnect the large hose clip securing the hose to the wheel well.
2) Follow the line from the tank to the intake manifold. There is a nipple on the top and the large 2 inch hose to the front. Remove the small line on the top.
3) Put a rag around the nipple.
4) Squeeze the 2 inch hose until coolant spits out of the nipple (this may not happen)
5) Lift the expansion tank as high as possible. This should force any repaning air out of the system. .
6) Reinstall the expansion tank and reattach the hoses.
7) Fill the expansion tank to full.
8) Start the engine and let it run until it reaches temperature. I went for a quick drive to the grocery store. When I got home, I checked the level in the tank again and had to add a bit more fluid.
9) If the problem persists, repeat after the engine cools. After 3 attempts, I would say you have another problem. The T-stat may not be opening.

I would imagine that if you lift the tank and no fluid comes out, and your fluid levels are normal, that would be a good indicator of a blockage.

It is possible that the repeated over heating has damaged the T-Stat as well. If this doesn't work, I would have it replaced.

Watch these for details on how to burb the system. It helped me a lot.
DDMWorks Video:

DDMworks - LNF Coolant Refill on Ecotec Engines - YouTube

DDMworks - LNF Coolant Refill on Ecotec Engines - YouTube

Rad Air Removal 1 video by GSStage1RedSky - Photobucket

Rad Air Removal 2 video by GSStage1RedSky - Photobucket

And check this thread
Is there a DIY on how to replace 2.0L Turbo (LNF) thermostat out there?

[Monadzback]

hand job that sob!

[Bueno1986]

Thanks for the video I replaced ny t stat yestesday but did not help. I will follow the procedures closely today to try to eliminate any air bubbles... Oh and one thing I forgot to mention the upper big hose that goes tothe engine gets hot, while the one at the big one at the bottom is always cold no matter what temperature the car has ...

[Monadzback]

Its air. Get the one way valves. 9 bucks. End of story. I promise

[wspohn]

Originally Posted by Monadzback

Its air. Get the one way valves. 9 bucks. End of story. I promise

That's what worked for me. Only the price back then was $800 Can. for the pair (bet they didn't sell any. Mine was a warranty fix so I didn't care).

[Monadzback]

They are cheap. Just a brass case with a ball inside to allow only one way flow. It literraly took me 5minutes to install and I have never worried again.

[dipolley]

Originally Posted by Monadzback

Its air. Get the one way valves. 9 bucks. End of story. I promise

What are these one way valves and where do you get them?

[Monadzback]

Get.them.from gm.

[Bueno1986]

Originally Posted by Monadzback

They are cheap. Just a brass case with a ball inside to allow only one way flow. It literraly took me 5minutes to install and I have never worried again.

Yes, where did you get them because this problem is drving me nuts... Now I cant drive.the car for.more than 10 minutes without overheating

[Monadzback]

G mother fuking m