Engine Overheating
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Cadillac DTS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Engine Overheating
| Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEFINITION: The engine temperature lamp comes on and stays on, or the temperature gauge shows hot, or coolant overflows from the surge tank onto the ground while the engine is running. | ||||
| 1 | Check for low coolant. Is the coolant low? |
- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Step 3 |
| 2 | Fill the system to the specified level. Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Check for a missing or damaged radiator upper air deflector, baffle, or center air deflector. Are there any missing or damaged deflectors or baffles? |
- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 5 |
| 4 | Repair or replace any deflectors or baffles as necessary. Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 5 | System OK |
| 5 | Check the coolant concentration. Is the coolant concentration adequate? |
- | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Correct the coolant concentration as necessary. Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 7 | System OK |
| 7 | Pressure test the cooling system. Does the cooling system maintain the correct pressure? |
103 kPa (15 psi) | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Refer to Loss of Coolant . Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 9 | System OK |
| 9 | Check for a pinched or kinked radiator surge tank hose. Is the surge tank hose kinked or damaged? |
- | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 11 |
| 10 | Reroute or replace the hose as necessary. Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 11 | System OK |
| 11 | Check the water pump belt tension. Is the tensioner working properly? |
- | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 12 |
| 12 | Replace the tensioner as necessary. Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 13 | System OK |
| 13 | Check for an obstructed radiator air flow or bent fins. Are any radiator fins bent or is air flow to the radiator being obstructed? |
- | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 15 |
| 14 | Remove or relocate add on parts that block air flow to the radiator. Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 15 | System OK |
| 15 | Check for a blockage in the cooling system passages. Are the cooling system passages blocked? |
- | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 17 |
| 16 |
|
- | Go to Step 17 | System OK |
| 17 | Check for an inoperative cooling fan. Are the cooling fans inoperative? |
- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 19 |
| 18 | Repair or replace the cooling fan as necessary. Refer to Cooling Fan Motor Replacement - Electric . Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 19 | System OK |
| 19 | Check if the thermostat is stuck in the closed position. Is the thermostat sticking or stuck in the closed position? |
- | Go to Step 20 | Go to Step 21 |
| 20 | Replace the thermostat. Refer to Thermostat Replacement . Does the engine still overheat? |
- | Go to Step 21 | System OK |
| 21 | Check for a faulty water pump. Is the water pump faulty? |
- | Go to Step 22 | - |
| 22 | Replace the water pump. Refer to Water Pump Replacement . Does the engine still overheat? |
- | - | System OK |