96 lumina intermittent overheating?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Benrs86 · 01-07-2006, 12:18 PM

hey guys my sister has a 96 lumina with the 3.8 and it overheated this fall, and i looked it over, topped of the coolant (it was a little low), and found no problems. a couple months later it did it again and my dad put a new thermostat in for her. now another couple months later, it did it again. what do i look for? why is it so intermittant? no coolant leaks, so is there crap in the radiator clogging it? why only once ever couple months? any advice is appreciated, Ben

70c10 · 01-07-2006, 01:22 PM

Those motors are prone to intake leaks. Did you check to make sure the fans are working?

fastwillie 696969 · 01-07-2006, 05:08 PM

check for codes maybe a sensor is acting up

jermasaurus · 01-07-2006, 06:00 PM

Does the gauge go up really quick and then come back down for no apparent reason? If it does, it isnt exactly overheating. The coolant just isnt staying in contact with the sending unit.

That happens alot with the 3 series motors if the cooling system isnt bled properly. Did you use the bleeder valve either near the thermostat housing or the bypass pipe?
If not, let it warm up and build pressure, and crack it open to let all the steam out.

Hope this helps.

-Jeremy

jgrh64 · 01-07-2006, 06:09 PM

also bad for head gaskets

**truckdude239** · 01-08-2006, 11:31 AM

crack up the bleeder vavle and let the air out it happens if the cooling system isn't bled good

Benrs86 · 01-08-2006, 07:23 PM

hey guys thanks for the help. i drove it around today and quite a bit of air came out of the bleeder valve. i never did get the guage past half way to hot though. like i said before it is an intermittent problem, so i guess i will just keep driving it and wait to see if it acts up again. thanks, Ben

01-07-2006, 12:18 PM	#1
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	96 lumina intermittent overheating?? hey guys my sister has a 96 lumina with the 3.8 and it overheated this fall, and i looked it over, topped of the coolant (it was a little low), and found no problems. a couple months later it did it again and my dad put a new thermostat in for her. now another couple months later, it did it again. what do i look for? why is it so intermittant? no coolant leaks, so is there crap in the radiator clogging it? why only once ever couple months? any advice is appreciated, Ben __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

01-07-2006, 01:22 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: 96 lumina intermittent overheating?? Those motors are prone to intake leaks. Did you check to make sure the fans are working? __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-07-2006, 05:08 PM	#3
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: 96 lumina intermittent overheating?? check for codes maybe a sensor is acting up __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

01-07-2006, 06:00 PM	#4
jermasaurus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Lenox, IL Posts: 442	Re: 96 lumina intermittent overheating?? Does the gauge go up really quick and then come back down for no apparent reason? If it does, it isnt exactly overheating. The coolant just isnt staying in contact with the sending unit. That happens alot with the 3 series motors if the cooling system isnt bled properly. Did you use the bleeder valve either near the thermostat housing or the bypass pipe? If not, let it warm up and build pressure, and crack it open to let all the steam out. Hope this helps. -Jeremy __________________ 79 Jimmy slammed AKA James Down

01-07-2006, 06:09 PM	#5
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	Re: 96 lumina intermittent overheating?? also bad for head gaskets __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

01-08-2006, 11:31 AM	#6
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: 96 lumina intermittent overheating?? crack up the bleeder vavle and let the air out it happens if the cooling system isn't bled good __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-08-2006, 07:23 PM	#7
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	Re: 96 lumina intermittent overheating?? hey guys thanks for the help. i drove it around today and quite a bit of air came out of the bleeder valve. i never did get the guage past half way to hot though. like i said before it is an intermittent problem, so i guess i will just keep driving it and wait to see if it acts up again. thanks, Ben __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04



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