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Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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BestBuy904
New User
Jan 14, 2010, 3:39 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1771 views)
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Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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Car: 2000 Malibu 3.1L 120k miles
Background: I have owned the car for a little over a year and it's biggest problem was an intake gasket that caused my coolant to get gunky.
Problem: I was driving my car 4 days ago on the highway, and I noticed that after 10mins of driving my heater was blowing cold as ice. So that drew my attention to my temp gauge which just happened to sound the overheating alarm right as I looked at it. Well I then reduced my speed waiting for the next exit, and right as I hit the exit I heard my car start to just die completely and I could hear it loosing its coolant the entire time. I had it towed home and looked at it.
Solution Attempt #1: The next morning I looked at it and saw that my brand new overflow tank had a huge crack all the way around it, so my first guess was to exchange it for a new one and see if that was the problem. So I got my new tank and went ahead and changed the upper hose and a few smaller hoses. After attaching them all, I started my car and it lost all of its fluids and overheated after a 5 min drive around the parking lot.
Solution Attempt #2: After my first attempt I turned my attention toward my thermostat, thinking it was stuck closed. So, I purchased a thermostat, installed, bled my system, refilled it, and took it for a 10 min drive to wal mart. The ride to walmart went fine, the heater went in and out of blowing hot air. On the way back from walmart though, the car stopped blowing any hot air and then decided to loose all of its coolant and overheat.
So now I'm stuck wondering what it could be Water Pump? Bad Radiator? I dont want to pay for a shop, because I'm capable of doing the labor myself, I just dont want to keep buying unnecessary parts. So if anyone has any suggestions or experience with this problem please let me know. Thanks
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BestBuy904
New User
Jan 14, 2010, 3:40 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1768 views)
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Re: Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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Just to clarify, the intake gasket problem has long since been taken care of.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 14, 2010, 4:12 PM
Post #3 of 6
(1759 views)
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Re: Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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One a problem like this I would start off by making sure there isn't any exhaust gases getting into the cooling system.
A few of the symptoms you mentioned are really pointing in this direction.... a possible leaking head gasket.
On this car it would probably be cheaper to have a shop check it for you...... This system uses a remote reservoir and makes chemical test harder to detect exhaust gases. For better accuracy a exhaust gas analyzer or scope would be more accurate.
(This post was edited by Sidom on Jan 14, 2010, 4:12 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 14, 2010, 6:00 PM
Post #4 of 6
(1752 views)
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Re: Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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Totally agree with Sidom - this smacks of a head gasket allowing gasses into cooling system. Those barfing up coolant overheats are NOT gasket friendly! Test a lot to be as sure as possible - lot of work to be wrong!
T
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BestBuy904
New User
Jan 14, 2010, 6:04 PM
Post #5 of 6
(1742 views)
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Re: Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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Ah Crap...I did not want to hear Head Gasket lol.
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 17, 2010, 9:04 PM
Post #6 of 6
(1728 views)
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Re: Coolin System Problem on 2000 Malibu
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They're right my man. After the intake gasket the 3.1's greatest obstacle is the head gasket. Sorry
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