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dykstra85
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 8:15 AM
Post #1 of 8
(1546 views)
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02 Century Overheating
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 2002 Buick Century. 3.1. Over heating. I have replaced the water pump and thermostat, and I bled the system for air pockets and the hoses are good. It remains at normal temp when at idle in the driveway, but after driving it on the highway it overheats within 5-10 miles. The fans do kick on with AC and while idling in the driveway. This makes me believe the relays are working properly. Is it possible that the relays can have intermittent failure or are they a sudden loss type of deal? Could any of these symptoms be caused by a bad temp sensor near the thermostat? I am not sure what to do at this point. Do I replace all three fan relays and temp sensor? Head gasket? (The oil and coolant are fine, no white stuff or weird smells.) Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 15, 2016, 8:46 AM
Post #2 of 8
(1543 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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Quite possibly vapor (air or a problem) is in the system? How long have you owned this and is it really overheating or just now paying attention? It's hot in many places and these can fluctuate and be normal or not more likely when idle or in traffic.
Relays can be intermittent as can sensors to tell fans to come on.
Quite a list of reasons a car can overheat if really so at speed and not at idle, even with A/C on. Radiator might not be in good enough shape for one.
Most at speed don't need fans for cooling but remain on for A/C if in use.
Rare side - there's a plastic air dam under bumper on about everything and isn't there for good looks. Many are missing from parking bumpers or other reason. Those do really help air to flow thru grille and down and out only really useful at higher speeds say above 40ish MPH.
One more to check: Fan(s) blowing towards the engine or somehow blowing out the grille - it happens?
Tom
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 15, 2016, 8:49 AM
Post #3 of 8
(1540 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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Just moved your other post out of sight. Please only post once on one car and it's problem as it's too confusing to follow if all over the place,
Tom
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kev2
Veteran
Aug 15, 2016, 9:53 AM
Post #4 of 8
(1533 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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you mentioned relays as a possibility - SO why not scan for codes yes scan even if light is off - its FREE.
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dykstra85
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 10:51 AM
Post #5 of 8
(1526 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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I just took the car on the highway and it did fine on the way to the parts store. (25 miles, no AC) When I started the car again after being off for 10 minutes, the temp gauge went all the way up and the temp light came on. It slowly went down as I began driving and then the whole way home it ran hot (about 3/4 up on gauge).
The fans blow towards the engine. Relays tested good. There are no visible leaks and no service light. The air dam and bumpers are all as they were when the car was new.
I washed the front of the radiator with a pressure washer. Slight pressure. Removed some debris. (Before the trip to the parts store). I purchased a new temp sensor and I will try that next.
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dykstra85
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 10:59 AM
Post #6 of 8
(1523 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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No codes on scanner. I am beginning to think it may be a cracked block with the sporadic temp fluctuations. I am not seeing any other signs of that however.
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dykstra85
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 11:13 AM
Post #7 of 8
(1521 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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I have had the car for 2 years now. The head gasket was done professionally at 86,000. I was the owner at that time. It now has 130,000 miles. I had the head gasket redone then, because it was leaking coolant.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 15, 2016, 11:22 AM
Post #8 of 8
(1516 views)
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Re: 02 Century Overheating
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You could still have a blown head gasket, air pockets or you could just have a bad radiator also.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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