Hey all

I just recently had a shop replace my thermostat on my 99 cav. I had been having a problem where it would overheat without any heat actually coming out of the vents. I had the thermostat and rad cap replaced, and now its doing the same exact thing.

The car has 89k miles on it, and I am wondering if anyone has any ideas. I am planning on calling the shop tomorrow and having them work on it again, but I really don't have the time to have it sit around while I have both school and work

Thanks in advance

 

Engine hot (and overheating) without heat from the heater means coolant is not circulating.

Check the water pump and fan belt. Fan belt is easy - just look and see if it's tight and not slipping. Water pump... Take off the radiator cap when cold, and start it. Feel the upper hose as the car warms up, and watch the coolant. If the pump is working, then when the thermostat opens you'll feel heat in the top hose and usually see some flow in the radiator.

The usual failure mode for a water pump is the bearing or seal, in which case you'll hear grinding noise or see a leak, respectively. Every now and then an impeller will break off.

You should consider finding another shop. Even if you just rolled in and told them to replace the thermostat and cap, they should have road tested it afterwards to make sure things were OK.

Ken

 

I replaced the water pump about 3k miles ago, so I'm pretty sure thats not it. Also now the car is not overheating, but doesn't build any heat while on freeway. The temp gauge just doesn't move from C.

 

So it stopped overheating after your first post? Interesting.

No heat and the temp gage not coming up usually means the thermostat is missing or stuck open.

Ken

 

taking it back to have them put in another thermostat tomorrow

 

www.j-body.org very knowledgable forum....used to go there for my 89 cav.....great group of people who won't flame you...specifically for cav's and sunfires