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How do I stop fiero from overheating? by FieroGT-987
Started on: 08-15-2013 07:49 AM
Replies: 24 (759 views)
Last post by: a gem on 08-16-2013 08:13 PM
FieroGT-987
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Report this Post08-15-2013 07:49 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroGT-987Send a Private Message to FieroGT-987Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I wa wondering what everyone is doing to keep the fiero from overheating. Mine does it every few days. Please help I need advice! Thanks
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jaskispyder
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Report this Post08-15-2013 07:52 AM Click Here to See the Profile for jaskispyderSend a Private Message to jaskispyderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
It isn't normal. Can you tell us more about what happens? Does your front fan turn on at about 235F? If you have A/C, does the front fan turn on when you turn on the A/C?

It could be something simple, like a radiator cap, or maybe your fan is bad, or the sensor, or....
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fierosound
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Report this Post08-15-2013 08:56 AM Click Here to See the Profile for fierosoundClick Here to visit fierosound's HomePageSend a Private Message to fierosoundEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroGT-987:

I wa wondering what everyone is doing to keep the fiero from overheating.


If it's overheating, something is wrong.

Could be a simple fix like a radiator cap, could be worse like crushed cooling pipe under the car, or water pump not circulating coolant properly.

Does it overheat in traffic sitting at a light, then cool off when you get moving? Or does it overheat on the highway?
There's different causes and why we need to know more specifics. "It's overheating" ain't enough.


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-15-2013).]

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FieroGT-987
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Report this Post08-15-2013 09:35 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroGT-987Send a Private Message to FieroGT-987Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
It "overheats" usually only at traffic lights and in lines of trafic. When Im driving it seems to be fine. I already bought a new radiator cap
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Old Lar
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Report this Post08-15-2013 09:39 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Old LarSend a Private Message to Old LarEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
The only time I had an overheating issue was when I was stuck in traffic and my fan motor had died. I didn't know about the fan motor, because when I started moving the temp gauge went back to normal. If the car is over heating, as others have suggested water pump, crushed coolant tube, air in cooling system, thermostat stuck closed or "clogged" radiator.
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FieroGT-987
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Report this Post08-15-2013 09:44 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroGT-987Send a Private Message to FieroGT-987Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Is it possible the fan or fan motor may need replace?
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Gall757
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Report this Post08-15-2013 10:19 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Gall757Send a Private Message to Gall757Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Easy to find out..do you have A/C? Turn it on and go look at the fan.
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dobey
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Report this Post08-15-2013 10:48 AM Click Here to See the Profile for dobeySend a Private Message to dobeyEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Gall757:

Easy to find out..do you have A/C? Turn it on and go look at the fan.


And if you don't have A/C, just find the fan relay, and short it to turn the fan on. If it comes on while shorted, then the motor is probably good. You can also test the relay to make sure it's working correctly.
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James Bond 007
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Report this Post08-15-2013 11:23 AM Click Here to See the Profile for James Bond 007Send a Private Message to James Bond 007Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
From what I remember,the origional 4 cylinder had a 3 quart oil pan insted of 4 and ran hotter.If thats your situation you could upgrade the oil pan to 4 quarts. Yes, I agree,something could be wrong (check for oil in the water). Other things to check are a bad fan relay or a bad fan motor.Hard water could cause your radiator to calisify internally (got rust in your coolant?).Maybe your thirmistat is stuck (you could allso run a slightly cooler thirmistat). Sometimes you need to add fresh coolant, to weaker older coolant.Installing a manual fan switch will allow you to manually turn on the fan when ever you want and still function normally when installed correctly.
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FieroGT-987
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Report this Post08-15-2013 11:41 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroGT-987Send a Private Message to FieroGT-987Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I turned the ac on and the Fan in the front did turn on. Any other ideas what I could do? The radiator hoses and clamps were checked and are not leaking
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hiwil88formula
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Report this Post08-15-2013 11:48 AM Click Here to See the Profile for hiwil88formulaSend a Private Message to hiwil88formulaEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
When the car is cool, remove the coolant cap at the engine, remove the thermostat and start the car. You should see coolant flowing, if its not flowing, your waterpump is bad. one other thing you can check is your thermostat. Take it out of the car and boil it, if it opens up just before boiling temp, its good. If not replace it. You might just need to burp the system as well. Look in Ogres cave for the correct procedure under cooling.
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Report this Post08-15-2013 12:53 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fierosoundClick Here to visit fierosound's HomePageSend a Private Message to fierosoundEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroGT-987:

It "overheats" usually only at traffic lights and in lines of trafic. When Im driving it seems to be fine.


 
quote
Originally posted by hiwil88formula:

When the car is cool, remove the coolant cap at the engine, remove the thermostat and start the car. You should see coolant flowing, if its not flowing, your waterpump is bad.


I'm thinking a water pump problem as well.
Probably one with a plastic impeller that is loose (had one).
When you replace it, be sure to use one with a METAL impeller.

But before pulling that, is the fan running when the car is overheating?
It may be the fan switch is not kicking on when engine is hot.
So once you get moving, the movement of the car pushes air through the radiator.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-15-2013).]

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jaskispyder
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Report this Post08-15-2013 01:24 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jaskispyderSend a Private Message to jaskispyderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Metal pipes that run under car, OK?

Did you get the correct rad. cap? I remember there being an issue at one time.

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Steven Snyder
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Report this Post08-15-2013 04:03 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Steven SnyderClick Here to visit Steven Snyder's HomePageSend a Private Message to Steven SnyderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroGT-987:

I turned the ac on and the Fan in the front did turn on. Any other ideas what I could do? The radiator hoses and clamps were checked and are not leaking


Maybe the fan turns on with the AC but not by itself when the temperature goes up. Next time it starts to overheat, open the hood and see if the fan is on before you shut the engine off.
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GodSend
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Report this Post08-15-2013 04:32 PM Click Here to See the Profile for GodSendSend a Private Message to GodSendEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Steven Snyder:


Maybe the fan turns on with the AC but not by itself when the temperature goes up. Next time it starts to overheat, open the hood and see if the fan is on before you shut the engine off.


I have this same issue right now. Basically once it reaches temp I just switch the AC on to force the fan on. As soon as I turn it off within 5 minutes the temp begins to rise again, so I just cycle on and off.

I don't drive it too often, so it works for now, but I am curious what the next steps should be. 88 gt. I swapped out the coolant temp sensor with a new one, same issue, but I think maybe something in the wiring. I believe I can ground the wire that goes to it and the fan should turn on?
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Patrick
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Report this Post08-15-2013 04:48 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

I'm a firm believer in the use of Rodney's 210 ° / 200 ° Fan Switch found Here.

However, it will not correct a malfunctioning coolant system.
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Report this Post08-15-2013 05:55 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fierosoundClick Here to visit fierosound's HomePageSend a Private Message to fierosoundEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by GodSend:

I believe I can ground the wire that goes to it and the fan should turn on?


Correct. If you ground the wire off the fan switch the fan should come on - providing the wiring is good.

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Report this Post08-15-2013 09:20 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jimbolayaSend a Private Message to jimbolayaEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Have you done any work where a considerable amount of coolant was removed, and you had to refill it? You might have a bubble in the line somewhere. Our cars are notorious for not being easily burped.

Jim
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FieroGT-987
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Report this Post08-16-2013 01:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroGT-987Send a Private Message to FieroGT-987Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Thanks everyone. I do have to refill the coolant tank every few weeks. Dont know where it is going..
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Patrick
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Report this Post08-16-2013 02:41 AM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by FieroGT-987:

I do have to refill the coolant tank every few weeks. Dont know where it is going..


If the coolant reservoir is ever allowed to go empty, then air gets sucked into the system. That might explain your overheating problem.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-16-2013).]

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olejoedad
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Report this Post08-16-2013 07:33 AM Click Here to See the Profile for olejoedadSend a Private Message to olejoedadEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
The coolant tank should not need to be refilled frequently.
There is a leak somewhere, either externally or internally.
External leaks are easy to find, a careful inspection will locate it.
Internal leakage will cause chocolate milk shake looking oil or steam out of the exhaust, caused by a gasket problem or a cracked casting.
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Report this Post08-16-2013 07:54 AM Click Here to See the Profile for jaskispyderSend a Private Message to jaskispyderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

The coolant tank should not need to be refilled frequently.
There is a leak somewhere, either externally or internally.
External leaks are easy to find, a careful inspection will locate it.
Internal leakage will cause chocolate milk shake looking oil or steam out of the exhaust, caused by a gasket problem or a cracked casting.


Yup, you have other problems that need to be addressed. If you don't see any leaks/wetness, then look to the intake or head gasket as an issue.
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jaskispyder
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Report this Post08-16-2013 07:59 AM Click Here to See the Profile for jaskispyderSend a Private Message to jaskispyderEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

jaskispyder

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quote
Originally posted by James Bond 007:

From what I remember,the origional 4 cylinder had a 3 quart oil pan insted of 4 and ran hotter.If thats your situation you could upgrade the oil pan to 4 quarts.


Hopefully all of them were recalled, but I guess some of them could be out there. I didn't think the pan was changed, just that more oil was called for through the larger filter and new dipstick. GM also replaced engines.

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Report this Post08-16-2013 11:50 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Formula88Send a Private Message to Formula88Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Does it boil over? If not, does it still lose coolant?
If you're losing coolant, you need to figure out where it's going first. You might try a compression check to see if there's a blown head gasket letting coolant intot he cylinders. If it's minor enough, it could blow it out the exhaust while you're driving.

When you turn the AC on and the fan comes on, does that keep it from overheating? The fan should pull the temp down pretty quickly if everything else is ok.

After that, when it overheats is the idiot light coming on and gauge going into the red? The fan doesn't normally come on until 235ºF and people usually get nervous before it gets that high. Let it run up to 240º on the temp gauge and see if the fan is on and look for leaks.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 08-16-2013).]

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a gem
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Report this Post08-16-2013 08:13 PM Click Here to See the Profile for a gemSend a Private Message to a gemEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
If you aren't the person who put the coolant into your car, in my opinion, you need to start from the beginning. If you know the procedure for fill/replacement of coolant you need to follow the procedure exactly. You can't troubleshoot without knowing what is in your system. It should not be water alone and antifreeze products have differences that
can help or harm your car. your car has fluid capacities find out what amount it should be and when you replace it put that amount into it. If you follow the instructions for the procedure without deviating - you will have eliminated your cooling system or found your problem.
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