KingVee Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 So, I thought I'd make a new thread with a bit more information, a basic first hand plan and a question. The thing is, now my father has begun building his house up north, which is quite far away from here, and I don't want to risk fucking up my car - whether it's going to or back from his place, or AT ANY TIME. Let me explain the problem to you in the simplest form possible: - Temperature gauge says, it's kinda cool. (below quarter) - Radiator fans says, IT'S FUCKING HOT, BLOWING DUALS FULL POWER!!! - Upper radiator hose says, it's flowing. Lower radiator hose says, it so isn't! - Computer sometimes says (when SES pops up), check the thermostat. Once my mechanic disconnects the fans relay fuses and run the car up to temperature, coolant will flow and the car will run like it should for a while. Then some time later (it's been a good two or three weeks now), it will act up again. I also do not have any signs that the fans turn back on AT ALL when we do this little trick until it acts up again. Tonight as I was working, I thought that maybe I should go with Aaron's idea to start by changing the thermostat and work from there. In my head though, it just doesn't seem plausible that it would be faulty, as I've never heard of a thermostat that would get stuck closed or open and work properly at random times - it usually gets stuck one way and stays there for good. With that said, my question was, what are the advantages of a 180° thermostat? I think I did read that it helps for the transmission, but I'm not sure about it. I was thinking about a 180° super Stant. Thank you to whoever attempts to help me figure this out, I'm just totally clueless. (dude, even my mechanic can't figure it out...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 I had a thermostat act all fucked up in my Jeep a couple years back. Some days it was normal, some days not. At $5-10 for a new one, it's worth a shot to drop a new one in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Thermostats are cheap, I'd definitely replace it. And go with stock temp unless you're tuning it or modding it etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 intermittent thermostats aren't that common, but they DO happen. same as coolant temp sensors. if the fans suddenly kick on, look at your guages, is the needle in an acceptable place for the fans to kick on? if so, then it sounds like the thermostat got stuck shut and is overheating. if not, then your coolant temp sensor is flaky and causing shit to act funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 intermittent thermostats aren't that common, but they DO happen. same as coolant temp sensors. if the fans suddenly kick on, look at your guages, is the needle in an acceptable place for the fans to kick on? if so, then it sounds like the thermostat got stuck shut and is overheating. if not, then your coolant temp sensor is flaky and causing shit to act funny. Good to know it does happen then. I had a solid thought about the sensor too. I mean, the gauge is showing something, but the real thing obviously isn't the same? I might actually go on and change as well that if it isn't too expensive. The fans will turn on as soon as I fire the car up, when the problem is there. I also never saw the gauge move over an eighth, again when the problem is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Make sure the fan relays arent faulty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Make sure the fan relays arent faulty Although my question about this would be, how could this cause all of the other issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 if the relays like to stick closed(meaning power is allowed through at all times, regardless of wether the ECM commands them on or not), then i could see it. but that would only make sense if the source the relay draws from is switched on and off with ignition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 On the cold and snowy day that today is, I went to get my thermostat and coolant temperature sensor replaced. By the way, WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK was GM thinking cramming this sensor between an exhaust pipe and an engine mount... mount?! Despite being a cold day, the temperature has remained stable near halfway on the gauge and the fans have so far stopped being retarded. So, 200 bucks bought me some happiness today. Will it act up again? Only time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 $200!? for a thermostat and temp sensor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 $200!? for a thermostat and temp sensor? .... and labor. lol Also, coolant and a rear blinker light because one died on my way there. I couldn't have done it myself even if I wanted to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 holy hell... how long did it take? 100 is easier to swallow since this isn't that involved of a job... but maybe canadian mechanics get a lot better labor rate than we do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 holy hell... how long did it take? 100 is easier to swallow since this isn't that involved of a job... but maybe canadian mechanics get a lot better labor rate than we do? Everything is more expensive here in Quebec, buddy. My mechanic works at 69.50$ an hour, and he charged me 1.3 hour although it took more than that because we had to figure out a way to get the fucking sensor out. Thermostat + seal: 19.09$ Temperature sensor: 38.52$ Coolant: 14.70$ 3157 bulb: 2.50$ Labor: 90.35$ ---- 164.87$ total with taxes. 183.96$ + 40$ of gas = 223.96$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 that's making more sense... i was figuring a $45/hour rate... that's what the dealerships charge around here IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 No dealership charges $45 an hour. Maybe 10 years ago. But the standard in this zone is about $87/hr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 No dealership charges $45 an hour. Maybe 10 years ago. But the standard in this zone is about $87/hr. that would make sense... that's about how long it's been since i've been to a dealer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 For me to set foot in a dealer, I'll need a loan or a winning lottery ticket. lol My work partner got her brakes done on her VUE at the dealer, and it cost her around 600$ total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 I couldn't have done it myself even if I wanted to. If you can pump gas you could figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingVee Posted April 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 I would like to thank everyone who helped me out, here. Car seems to be running perfect, finally. Let's hope it remains that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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