Cavalier Overheating

Apr 05, 2006 2 Replies
96', 2.2 Cavalier overheating.

Had the engine pressure tested as it was my understanding that these cars are prone to head/head gasket problems, which might turn up as an engine overheat. Pressure test said the engine was a-okay.



Replaced the thermostat (w/1/8" hole drilled into the flange). Appeared to solve the problem. Drove several weeks with the needle rock solid. Sometimes drove as long as an hour at a crack.



Then last Friday the needle started climbing to H again. When this happens, the overflow container fills to the point of bursting.



Lately, I've been noticing two things:



  1. Seems that the car has a propensity to overheat while the car is waiting at a stop-and-go light or at a standstill. Many times it will run a little on the hot side but if you want the needle to climb fast then throw the car into park.
  2. While at a standstill I loose all heat inside the car, the blowers going from hot to downright cold.

Are these symptoms indicative of something?



Brian



With reference to the overheating problem.

Go to another garage for a head gasket pressure test.

I had a garage do it for me, and they did not see the small pressure change

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