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Overheating, 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ceira


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ignorant,yes
New User

Apr 25, 2007, 4:46 PM

Post #1 of 2 (1489 views)
Overheating, 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ceira Sign In

In bullit points:

On Vacation
1. Car overheats during vacation, mechanic says its a bad fan relay (they couldn't get part till next day) and straight wires fan.

In Louisville
2. Take car to mechanic, they replace relay and rewire fan correctly, they steam clean engine because they think a gasket may be leaking (if it is, it isn't much).
3. Car overheats that night.
4. Car is towed to mechanic, they replace the radiator.
5. Drive the car that night, no problem.
6. Today, car starts overheating as wife drives car back home from work.
7. Car overheats as soon as its turned on, fan does not run. (would it kick on immediately?)

My car started overheating on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN while driving in the smokie mountains, the car was straight wired by the mechanic who told us the fans relay was bad and that got us home to Louisville, KY. I took the car to the mechanic who replaced the relay and put the fan back in order, I picked up the car and drove it home. Later that day I drove it again and it started overheating. I took the car back the next day and they replaced the radiator. I drove the car the rest of the day with no problem. My wife took the car to work today, on her way back it started overheating yet again, at this point the overheating light comes on as soon as you start the car. Help!

When you start the car and the overheating light comes on, but the fan does not run, is this normal?



Thanks
ryan


(This post was edited by ignorant,yes on Apr 25, 2007, 6:44 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 26, 2007, 3:23 AM

Post #2 of 2 (1475 views)
Re: Overheating, 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ceira Sign In

The fan either isn't coming on or not in time. It should stay on with the A/C selected regardless of engine temp.

Coolant must be full at the radiator or the sensor may not get good info or be too late and if it's low on coolant -- that alone can cause the overheating. Fill those when cold and no pressure in system with 50/50 anti-freeze and let it warm up till you feel heat in upper rad hose and if needed drive the car around turning left and right, stops and starts can help getting the last bit of air out. Let cool again and re-check at the radiator. Then you can fill the recovery tank to proper level and it should stay within its range. You can't fill the system if low in radiator from recovery tank alone.

See if this fan works at all. Use a stick NOT YOUR HAND to see if it even turns when all is off. If the motor gets power and doesn't work it's gone. Not sure if you can get just the motor anymore but may have to buy the whole assy., $$. I have a good one to a 1985 98 with 3.8 engine that may work if you need it I will sell it to you at cost of shipping. NOTE!! The nut (not meSmile) is reverse threaded and handily will break off causing hair loss and domestic problems!

Test those out and post back with findings. This car should tolerate minor overheating better than average without causing head gasket problems but there's no promise on that,

T







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