No heat, engine overheating

[bryanb]

I hope this hasn't been mentioned before; I tried to search, and didn't find anything real similar to this problem:

 

A friend has a 93 Lumina Euro sedan. 3.1L v-6. Claims to have driven it a couple miles, to downtown, and it overheated, and couldn't get any heat out of the heater.

 

Bad thermostat? or waterpump?

 

thanks.

 

 

[Pontiac6KSTEAWD]

Step 1) Check Coolant level, then proceed.

 

Thermostat most likely, Could be a clogged radiator and heater core. But I am thinking thermostat. Try taking it out completely and drive it around a couple miles. If it overheats again, you need to dig deeper than a thermostat. If it doesnt, replace the thermo and call it a day.

[BIGBULS]

Step 1) Check his coolant level...........duh

 

Most people forget this one

[bryanb]

He claims the coolent level is OK, but we are changing the thermostat tonight, so we'll see how that goes.

 

 

[Regal_GS_1989]

Make sure to bleed all the air out of the system, otherwise it will overhead and cause engine damage. chances are this is all that needs to be done. You could always try this first before changing the Thermo.

[Canada]

There is always coolant going through the heater core.....even when the thermostat is closed. Odds are all coolant has leaked out the intake/head gaskets/water pump weep hole and no longer has any in the car.

[bryanb]

We topped it off, and bled the air out with the two bleader bolts (which my Thunderbird had those) and then the water pump started leaking like crazy. So it does in fact appear we have a water pump problem. All told, between his troubleshooting, and what we did tonight, we put in probably 2 gallons. He is going to see what the shop wants to change the pump out, otherwise we might attempt to do it ourselves.

 

thanks all.

 

 

[Pontiac6KSTEAWD]

If you have 4 tools, you can do this job yourself. Its so damn easy on a 3.1. You take the belt off the alternator and then swing the belt off the water pump. Take the 4 font bolts off the pulley on the front, and then take the 6-8 bolts off the water pump. Scrap off the old gasket, and reinstall. I litterally can change a water pump on a cool 3.1 in 15 minutes. With no mechanical skills, you can do it in 1 hour. Dont waste your time or money with the shops.

[jdcutty]

yeah, no kidding. If you are close to me I would come do it for you. Where are ya?

[GutlessSupreme]

Changing the waterpump takes maybe 30 minutes, including refilling the coolant and proper bleed proceedure. Just get some RTV and a few sockets.

[bryanb]

How does the tensioner pully move? I don't see an easy way to latch onto it, just some notches in the end of it, and a big nut on the center of it. Is there a special took involved, or a special way of using a crow bar?

 

 

[mfewtrail]

Look again at the tensioner, it's slotted on the end to accept a 3/8'' drive ratchet. Make sure to seat your ratchet all the way into the tensioner, you don't want it to slip and give ya' some bloody knuckles.