Engine Overheating- Pontiac Grand Am 1999, 1998

• Comments ⇓

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE. MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING AS I WAS ON A SMALL TRIP SO I DROVE IT ABOUT A HOUR WHILE OVERHEATING. TOOK TO THE SHOP AND HERE MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED SO CAR HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE,IT STARTS UP BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE WITH WATER THAT COMES OUT THE EXHAUST WHILE RUNNING.

ALSO THERE IS WATER IN THE OIL SO DID I BLOW MY ENGINE OR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE IS ALSO A SMELL OF SYRUP WHILE RUNNING.

Answer:
Anytime you run an engine that is overheating, you will cause more damage than just the condition that caused the overheating. This 3.4L 6 cylinder Engine is known for intake manifold gaskets leaking internally/externally, and mixing with the oil as well. It does sounds like you have major internal engine damage. Possible blown head gaskets, cracked cylinder heads, cracked engine block, probably rod and main bearing damage due to the coolant in the oil.

1998 Pontiac Grand Am. Replaced engine with another engine with 70,000 miles on it about 1 year ago. New Thermostat. New Water Pump. My Grand Am is overheating. It only begins to overheat if you drive it as long as it sits it won't overheat. The leakage is coming out of the overflow hose. The large black hose on the drivers side under the hood is hot but I can also squeeze that hose.

I was told that I should not be able to squeeze that hose it should be hard. The oil and Antifreeze is not mixing. Do you think it could be my Radiator although it's not leaking, could it be clogged? What else do you suggest I try?

Answer:
If the car is overheating and boiling over from the overflow, then you may have a bad head gasket.(See below) Head gaskets push combustion gas into the cooling system, and cause the coolant to boil over the overflow. Sometimes the engine is not even overheating. The pressure in the system causes it to boil out. First try a new radiator cap. Then have the spark plugs inspected for signs if burning coolant. Inspect the radiator for internal restriction or have it flushed out. The upper hose being rock solid depends on the coolant temp. The higher the temp, the higher the pressure.

Question:
1993 pontiac grand am 3300 V6. Replaced Heater core, radiator, reservoir, radiator cap, thermostat, rad hoses, water pump. I have replaced everything that i could think of and it is still over heating. I am running water in it now and it is still doing it. If you drive on flat land it will not overheat it stays at about 175 if you pull a hill it will overheat.

I am a single mom and i have to do all of the work myself because i cannot afford a garage. So PLEASE HELP ME!!! I will appreciate it and god bless.

Answer:
Assuming that the radiator fans are coming on at the temperature they should, this may be a head gasket problem. One condition of a failed head gasket is as you describe. Wont overheat during normal driving, but does under a heavy load on the engine. Suggest removing spark plugs and looking for signs of burning coolant. There is also a chemical test that can be done to detect combustion gases in the coolant.

Question:
1995 Pontiac Grand Am oveheats. Repairs made = water pump, intake gaskets, thermostat, coolant temperature sensor, coolant flush. Question = This thing keeps overheating at idle well over the 220 mark. What else could it be there is no leak form the block or steam out the exhaust. Please help!

Answer:
A couple of things to look at. You need to see exactly what the coolant temp. Is by using a scanner to make sure the gauge is accurate. The low speed cooling fan wont come on until 226 degrees, so you are not overheating until after that. Make sure the fan does come on at 226 f. Another thing to look for is bubbles in the radiator. That would be a sign of a blown head gasket. Those were known to leak externally, or blow internally at the lower portion of the rear head all the way on the passenger side; as viewed from underneath.

A restricted radiator can also cause this. Sometimes the radiator will have 'cool' spots in it as compared to the rest of the radiator. Best way to check is with a laser tempersature gun, but can do with you hands as long as you are careful not to get near fan blades. Let me know what find if you need more help.