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john1
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Apr 21, 2010, 5:45 AM
Post #1 of 17
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2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
How are you doing? Hope all is well?
The weather is getting better for sure - lovin that part maybe winter is over for us in the north.
A little question. I just had my Transmission cooler lines replaced. No biggie.
But at the same time I noticed the leak, the enigine was running hot - when Idling? While running down the highway - no problem at all, let it Idle it will raise above the halfway mark. it has always run hot, maybe I never noticed it. My Garage guy said all is fine, icluding the thermostat? I dunno I if should worry, or it is what it is...
Talk to you later my friend.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 21, 2010, 6:06 AM
Post #2 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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It's possible that it's normal depending on just how hot that really is. Is/are fan(s) coming on when idling for a while when it's warmer out? In that it's fine when at speed it suggests fans are late or not working at all.
Was just brought up that some GMs do wait for a higher radiator temp for powered fan to kick in then I would like but it is possible to be normal if predictable and staying in safe range.
Now that you've mentioned trans lines (probably rusted out) were replaced it makes me question the radiator itself as they rust/corrode too. That you can see from engine side - the front is the condenser (looks like radiator) for the A/C but the two are separate items.
This tidbit only good for today. It's supposed to be in the low 70s here 4-20-2010 - OMG a heatwave! Good time to check it. Don't confuse fan working if A/C is requested at it almost certainly will run with A/C requested or any setting that involved defroster.
If running heater which should stay warm/hot brings gauge temp right down, or goes cold on you when gauge reads high it's important to note that.
Pay attention as overheats are a killer,
TomG
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john1
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Apr 21, 2010, 7:03 AM
Post #3 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
Hope all is well?
I'll will keep a close look at for sure... We are hitting the 70 degree mark as far as our weather goes,
The Alero while running it sits slightly under the half-way mark, and while idling for 2 minutes or more it will rise slightly over the half way mark. I will be courious to see , when we get to the 90's.
John
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 21, 2010, 7:18 AM
Post #4 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Had a nano second a while ago that actually hit 90F in the sun! I was playing with checking out A/C crap to know it was ok for the season early as you can't really tell when it looks like this.............
Ya - that is a car in my back yard! Hmmm - wonder if the A/C worked - laugh.
From your description you are probably fine. A little over a mid-line on gauge to a little under is normal for some. If consistent that's a good sign. If different day by day there's something to fix as weather moderates.
BTW - repair or replacement of trans lines shouldn't have involved antifreeze but a slim chance it could have to fix it. Make sure coolant level is correct and stays correct as you should anyway periodically. Check trans fluid too as it could be off after the fix and isn't IMO this issue but would be easy to be off some after that repair,
T
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john1
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Apr 22, 2010, 6:57 AM
Post #5 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Too Funny Tom. Nice Pic.
This time of year is hard, yesterday we hit 68 ad a daytime high, and dropped to 30 at night....
I will keep I close look Tom.. I did forget to mention, my heater , well for lack of better words - does not throw out as much hot air as it used to. I would guess it is workin at about 25-35%. But that is only for the defrost mode. The vents work fine?
John
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 22, 2010, 7:51 AM
Post #6 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Again,
Heater performance can be very telling or misleading. If this car is "climate controlled" it won't put out as much heat as engine has to offer but rather lower output temps (not volume usually) not to bake a cake inside
I wish climate controls had an over-ride. Clearing out, digging out or de-icing cars suks as your up to your butt in snow and ice and the car thinks it's just dandy inside so why put out more heat?
OK: If the heat works well in colder weather and not now that would explain that for now. Otherwise it suggests clogging of heater core which is usually first, then radiator will start to clog and "voila" a good excuse for running hotter than perhaps the car was intended.
Might be a good time to flush the whole system and check out the situation. Don't exceed 50% antifreeze as that can cause dramatic loss of heat transfer. If you take on flushing yourself, go forward and backwards on as much as you can. Add (see capacity of cooling system in owner's manual) half that capacity first as there would still be plain water in engine left over. If this has the pressure cap on reservoir and not the radiator they are a pill to get all the air out. Look for bleeder at thermostat housing area or fill from a disconnected hose at first. Takes several cycles of warm ups and cool downs to stabilize. Watch like a hawk after any refill as it doesn't always finish the same day!
If tons of junk is noted coming out you may need to do this all over again as flushing really doesn't get it all. Cross that bridge when and if that's noted,
T
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john1
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Apr 28, 2010, 10:39 AM
Post #7 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
How are you doing?
How the waether at your end?
Just wanted to give u an update. I will bring it to the garage on Monday for a Rad Flush, But as the days go on,
I am alomost ZERO heat. It seems each day I am losing it. Wouldn't you guess it , we are at 36 degress the last 2 days with no heat coming out of the car and a 30 mile drive into work. I just wonder if the Rad is gone. I have 255000 KM or 114600 miles. The Thero gauge still sits below half while the car is running and slightly above while idling?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 28, 2010, 2:01 PM
Post #8 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Heater: The heat output failing so quickly could be that it's clogging or now in conjunction with the other symptoms I'm thinking the cooling system could be low on level. I think this car put pressure cap on a remote recovery tank and not on the radiator itself and it needs to be full and know full in the radiator.
Also, feel heater hoses going to and from firewall. One will or should be hot at engine temp and the return still warm to hot usually. If stone cold return then it suggest inadequate water flow thru heater either low coolant or low flow. Hot air just can't throw heat like hot water/antifreeze mix.
The flush is a good idea and a shop should be able to know it's properly full. Tell them of poor heat so special attention to flush it well OR find another reason for poor heat,
T
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john1
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Apr 30, 2010, 6:34 AM
Post #9 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
There does not seem to be a cap on the Rad itself. I did fill the resoviore tank up - which is located on the passenger side wheelwell -because is was lower than the level should be at. I do know if I should continue to fill it. Not too much has come out the over-flow. Is there a drain Plug?
I will check out the hoses. I'd love to fluch it myself , but I'll let my local guy do it. I have to change the oil nad swap out my winter tires to summer.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 30, 2010, 7:27 AM
Post #10 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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OK: With this system it's hard to know it's really full if a problem lurks. Do go ahead and add as marks on that tank indicate with proper mixed coolant. It may or may not drop again.
The idea is that air, if any, pushes out when engine warms and the expansion builds pressure to that tank. When it cools and contracts it should draw back only liquid.
What we don't know is if the system can hold pressure so you would have to start with it cold and feel the large higher radiator hose which stone cold would have no pressure. Now just start engine, heater on, and with care feel for that hose to suddenly go warm and build pressure slowly. It can be VERY hot so use caution of course. The pressure shouldn't built in a minute and if noted that's not a great sign nor is no pressure ever indicative of system can't with leak somewhere. Should have temp gauge and by the time it moves up and hose feels warm to hot there should be pressure. If the radiator cap - in this case the pressure regulator is the cap on that recovery tank is no good it won't build up pressure either. It also must vent when coolant contracts or it wouldn't return to radiator and engine.
It's simple and confusing both. It must hold pressure as the engine operates at temps where the coolant could boil without pressure. Look at that cap and it probably states 15lbs pressure which is worth ~45F over the "no" pressure boiling point. Liquids can transfer heat well. Vapor or air is lousy at it. Knowing what is where in this type system is a pill
There may not be a drain plug on this. It may require removing a hose - can't say for sure. Flushing out cooling systems is a mess at best and antifreeze is a hazmat so best done by the shops. Tell the shop the heat is lousy and specifically target that for flushing both ways. They should know decent flow or not for heater. Most will flush and not need a new core depending on how clogged and with what debris. There may not be much or any - we don't really know that until flushing,
T
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john1
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May 5, 2010, 10:47 AM
Post #11 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
How are you doing?
I hope that all is well?
So I have dropped off the car today - so I should get some sorta feedback...
They have already re-checked the therostat and the fans do kick in at 190 degrees. I suppose next he will check the rad for a possilbe flush?
Could I have blown I fuse? Right now not knowing what he will say .
The AC works - but ZERO heat - I have lost it all....
I'll let you know!!
John
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john1
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May 5, 2010, 12:22 PM
Post #12 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hey Tom,
just got back - so far they have found nothing???????????///
Data stream indicates fans engauged at 190 degrees
No external leaks
Good heat from system
heater line into core is hot
return line is cooler
gauge reading 1/2 thru arc
They said - bring it back and they will look some more, but they seem bafiled as well?
added to my surprise - left wheel bearing is going...I replace those every 2 years anyways....
I'll take to you tomorrow......
John
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 5, 2010, 1:53 PM
Post #13 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Not sure what's up with heater?? May use an actuator (electric actuated door/flap) for temp or an in line water flow device. More diagnosing needed. Could even be control head is sending wrong signal for requested temp - just don't know on that for now.
Bearings: Sometimes it's just luck and sometimes you can choose bearings with a better track record usually more money but not always. Real good parts folks seem to know what comes back more often. Dang - some last forever and some don't with either. There was a day when China made cheaper bearings and did have more re-dos but some of those are fine. Hard to know. Re-did one on a Lincoln LS (1/2 Ford 1/2 Jaguar car) a year after a dealer did one that failed?? One is original (of fronts) and one now on third - go figure?
T
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john1
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May 6, 2010, 9:36 AM
Post #14 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
I will drop off the car Monday, they will run more tests. he told me - not to pay any attention to the gauge. It can be very misleading?
As for the bearings - it every 2 years for me - I guess it the milage - I put about 30,000 miles a year, all highway mind you - but I live in the outskirts - country livin - I do about 1 mile of dirt road and such. I think it is still milage...
I will give u mor einfo on the heat. It even has him baffled..........
J
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 6, 2010, 11:07 AM
Post #15 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hmmm - I would pay attention to the gauge, might not be accurate but if it does anything it's something to go by.
Bearings IMO have no known life expectancy. I've seen them go perfectly for life of a car and up to 500,000 MILES! Others can be more of a routine. This car shouldn't have a serviceable bearing and should be sealed for life whatever that really means. What they definitely don't like is being submerged in water! They definitely should tolerate dust and ordinary dirt.
I liken these seals for items throughout the car as "water resistant" like watches claim vs "Water Proof" - which is a whole different claim like for scuba diving and military use for fording rivers and so forth. That goes for about any street legal vehicle sold for consumer use even the SUVs and off road editions don't want underwater use!
Was ages ago now -- a truck advertisement showed their truck flying off a bump like a Baja run over 20 feet air-born then of course shows it gleaming and running fine right after. True story - A person bought one and did same trick and totalled it never mind drivable and got that ad taken away in short order.
Back to the bearing. If you have a listed part# from one that failed again ask for another brand if that happens again,
T
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john1
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May 11, 2010, 5:46 AM
Post #16 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi Tom,
How are u doing today?
finally got out to cut the lawn yesterday....16 days of rain on and off and wet snow let up, and yesterday was the only sunner day, but it was only 45..
They ran so more test - still nothing as far as the heat goes. I aske them for a flush, but they said it would not make a differance, cooant is clear? They will take another look see twoards the end of the week....
As for the bearings, I will ask for a differnt part..... Funny this is the third set in 8 years....the last one was no longer than 2 years ago... That still is the least of my concearn at this moment , until I can not bear the sound, then I'll will change it..within the nest few weeks anyway.... LOL.....
I will keep u posted on the heating ? It is bizzare for sure. I had him check the upper manifold, but he said it was fine.... I do not know if a water pump, would effect this? Classic Mystery.........
John
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 11, 2010, 6:34 AM
Post #17 of 17
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Re: 2001 Alero Running Hot
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Hi again,
Was 30F last night here! Flood, then cold, then hot, then more rain - the lawn loves it!
Water Pump + Heater: Yes that's a possible problem but to me on the rare side. If flow was so slow due to corroded (about only thing I can think of to reduce flow from the pump) then it would highly likely be gradual, get better with RPMs increased and you would feel a stone cold return hose as any available heat would be fully extracted by the core. Clear coolant is telling but not the tell all.
Quick check for part shows this doesn't use a heater hose control valve to lower flow for temp so it would be a diverter door directing percentage of air thru core for temp adjustment. That or coolant can't go thru for whatever reason??
  Price: $48.99
Notes: Dorman-OE Solutions Temperature door
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One parts look up listed this - could be incorrect. If this is at fault they sometimes make a stripping gear sound or could just snap and default to whatever this defaults to??
Shop should be able to determine this or not. Some would or could be such a nightmare to get at you wouldn't be doing that yourself without plenty of tools and the exact instructions that we may be able to come up with but that's software that's pricey and I don't have it for this car.
Bearings: The most trouble I've had was boat trailers getting dunked. All four trashed on one (not mine) and 1 year later and not dunked again they were all showing failure signs - cheap junk! Arggh!
T
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