BN Posted December 8, 2009 Report Posted December 8, 2009 I changed the thermostat on 93 Cutlass 3.4 because the heat wasn't hot. I've been bleeding the system for the better part of the day and everytime I think I'm done I'll drive it and gage will work it's way up to the verge of overhaeting. Does this take this long or am I maybee doing it wrong? Quote
Crazy K Posted December 8, 2009 Report Posted December 8, 2009 was the issue realy the t-stat? I often have to pressure out gunk in the heatercore by hooking a hose to it and running water through it. otherwise, what you describe is air pockets in the system getting trapped behind the t-stat. You should have a bleeder on the heater feed line, which is by the brake booster. that it the high point in the system and will help drain the the air pockets that are behind the t-stat Quote
BN Posted December 8, 2009 Author Report Posted December 8, 2009 Pretty sure problem was t-stat. Newer radiator, flush not too long ago and nice green coolant. I have been using both pressure drains and have gotten no air just a steady stream of fluid out of the higher one you mention. Keep getting air out of the lower one near the thermostat. Quote
RobertISaar Posted December 8, 2009 Report Posted December 8, 2009 getting air out of the lower one is a good indication that there is still quite a bit of air in the system, or the coolant is trapped and getting heated to the point of turning into steam... Quote
BN Posted December 8, 2009 Author Report Posted December 8, 2009 I guess what I'm saying is can someone list the proper bleeding prosedure. Quote
94 olds vert Posted December 8, 2009 Report Posted December 8, 2009 There are proper bleeding instructions in your manual. When I did mine I used the manual and have had no problems. Quote
BN Posted December 8, 2009 Author Report Posted December 8, 2009 I have the factory service manual. It just says you need to do it but doesn't really say how. Quote
94 olds vert Posted December 8, 2009 Report Posted December 8, 2009 Really? Mine had detailed descriptions and pics I think. Quote
BN Posted December 9, 2009 Author Report Posted December 9, 2009 Really? Mine had detailed descriptions and pics I think. Found what you're talking about in the owners manual. Followed those directions and it still gets on the verge of overheating. If no one has any other ideas I guess it's off to the gas station tomorrow to shell out some more cash like everything else on this stupid car. Quote
Andrew Posted December 9, 2009 Report Posted December 9, 2009 does the upper rad hose ever get hot? Quote
Crazy K Posted December 9, 2009 Report Posted December 9, 2009 It will probably work it self out given a little while... to be sure, did you re-clamp any hoses you may have recently messed with??? Quote
BN Posted December 9, 2009 Author Report Posted December 9, 2009 Took it to repair place to have it bled. They cringed when they saw what engine it was but said they would do it. They nessed with it all morning, said they got all the air out and then it would get hot again. They think it's a head gasket that's just starting to go bad as the oil's still clean. They're gonna do some chemical test to say for sure. Quote
oscar_wilde Posted December 9, 2009 Report Posted December 9, 2009 does the upper rad hose ever get hot? Important question! You could save money with this! Quote
BN Posted December 9, 2009 Author Report Posted December 9, 2009 does the upper rad hose ever get hot? Important question! You could save money with this! I'm not sure I already dropped the car off before checkiing the forum. Could it be something other than head gasket? Quote
BN Posted December 9, 2009 Author Report Posted December 9, 2009 Hose did get hot. Repair place did some engine block test but came back negative. They still think head gasket. Called regular mechanic who can't look at it till Friday but he thinks it's air not HG and that he can fix no big deal.I'll let you know outcome. Quote
oscar_wilde Posted December 9, 2009 Report Posted December 9, 2009 It could be some other gasket. It could be pumping exhaust into the coolant, or sucking in coolant and burning it, and making bleeding difficult. Quote
Andrew Posted December 14, 2009 Report Posted December 14, 2009 i really doubt its the headgasket. is there oil in the coolant or vice versa? Quote
BN Posted December 14, 2009 Author Report Posted December 14, 2009 Fans come on. No coolant in oil. Regular mechanic is working on it now. He says when temp gage goes all over the place he uses his temp sensing device and whole area is right around 195. He believes bad gage sending unit. Says there's a technical service advisory from GM about this problem stating to change the unit and wiring. He's trying to track down the parts now. Quote
RobertISaar Posted December 14, 2009 Report Posted December 14, 2009 so it's just the temp sender? that's a cheap and easy part to replace... Quote
BN Posted December 15, 2009 Author Report Posted December 15, 2009 Installed new sender and wiring and gage still bounces around. He says technical service advisory says if problem persists to rewire to a different sending unit (I think he said). I think this cars becoming more problem than its worth. Anybody else have this problem? Quote
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