[jwp1223]

Hey all, I have been all over this section looking for a possible answer. I really didn't find what I was looking for, so maybe you all could help me.

I have a 2003 Impala with a 3.4L V6, and I just had the thermostat changed, I just had the Engine Temperature Sensor replaced. I filled it with antifreeze. Now, the main problems have been happening since I got the thermostat and ETS changed, but the engine is wanting to run hot (well it gets to the edge of the red line, but doesn't go past it). I took it to a mechanics they changed my thermostat and ETS for me, I don't know if they bled it, ( i saw that on here somewhere). I will try a new radiator cap, I am just wondering if there is something else I should check.

I'm not mechanically inclined, but Im not rich either. So if there is something I can do to make this problem go away, lay it on me. If not I will be sending this back to the mechanics and have them take a whack at it and my wallet.

Also, the heater is wanting to run cold air....it's not warming up. This didn't happen until AFTER I had the thermostat and ETS switched out. Until then, the heater was running ok.

Could I have a leak into the heater core? Something more serious? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[capricewiz]

you've got air in the system. take it back to where you had the stuff installed, and tell them to bleed the system, and it better be for free. Its a comeback and its their fault

 

[jwp1223]

you've got air in the system. take it back to where you had the stuff installed, and tell them to bleed the system, and it better be for free. Its a comeback and its their fault

Thank you for your response. I was hoping it was something like that.

 

[jwp1223]

Ok so I did all of that, but it still wanting to run hot, now, the thing is, it fluctuates between hot, and right there in the middle, and it only does it when I drive. I know the hoses are hot, but not the engine (as best I can tell, its a pretty cool day)...So is there air still in the system?

I am still getting cold air with the heater on full blast. I am hoping its not my Intake Manifold or my Head Gasket, let me go check my oil, and make sure it's not milky or a different color.

 

[capricewiz]

apparently your shop sucks that you take it to. I can almost guarantee that there's still air in the system.

 

[jwp1223]

I think so too. So for a person (me) who's not that inclined, how long should I open the valves for ( I know where they are and I have the right tools to do it). I know someone said until antifreeze starts boiling over the radiator cap (should i have that off as well?).

Thanks for the help Capricewiz.

 

[Moose]

Pull the water pump off and see if the impeller is turning on the shaft, or broken in two.

Have seen it several times - with the exact same symptoms as you describe.

HTH.

 

[capricewiz]

well... you have to open the bleeder valves. I open them up with the rad cap off. And wait till coolant comes out of the valves. When it does, I just let it run for awhile. If its still being stubborn, you might have to get the RPM's up and force it through.

 

[jwp1223]

Thank You Capricewiz

I think I am good to go now. I let my car run about 30 mins or so with the valves open, and then I test drove it for about 30 more minutes, hitting every red light possible. It never did jump past half way mark. In fact it stayed on the big line after the quarter part

Just to show you where it stayed. This was as close to my dashboard/cockpit that I could find on the internet. I actually have the Automatic Shifter that's in the floor with the captain seats.

Again thanks for all of the help Capricewiz.

 

[capricewiz]

no prob, if I were you I'd go back to your mechanic and teach him how to work on these cars.

 

[jwp1223]

I won't be taking it back to those guys...EVER...again. I might of found someone a lot better. He's been doing it for 30+ years, and he's pretty reasonable on prices.

 

[capricewiz]

age and amount of experience really doesn't account for anything. Cars are totally different between now and then. I'm only 24 and I have more knowledge about these cars than my boss does and he's owned his shop for 15 years and has been working on cars for almost 30.

 

[Moose]

age and amount of experience really doesn't account for anything.

 

[jwp1223]

age and amount of experience really doesn't account for anything. Cars are totally different between now and then. I'm only 24 and I have more knowledge about these cars than my boss does and he's owned his shop for 15 years and has been working on cars for almost 30.

He comes very recommended to me by a few people actually, and he only works on Chevy's. So he's got some experience. He probably does know what he's doing when it comes to this.

 

[jwp1223]

Well, problem number 912 since I got my car "fixed"

I am beginning to think, I should of just left my damn car alone, cause this obviously is still not fixed. After running perfectly the past 24-36 hrs, I just took a very very short trip to a friends house, and it decided to overheat. I don't know why. It didn't overheat on the way, but it did when I was coming back. I'm a little less the happy at the moment. I am beginning to think, my once awesome car is nothing more then a pile of shit.