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| ENGINE OVERHEATING |
| DEFINITION: The engine temperature lamp comes on and stays on: the temperature gauge shows hot or coolant overflows from the coolant recovery reservoir onto the ground while the engine is running. |
| Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
| 1
|
Check for a loss of coolant. Has there been a loss of coolant?
|
–
|
Go to Step 2
|
Go to Step 3
|
| 2
|
Refer to Loss of Coolant. Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 3
|
System OK
|
| 3
|
Check for a loss of system pressure. Use the J 24460-01 Cooling System Pressure Tester. See Special Tools. Has there been a loss of system pressure? |
– | Go to Step 4
|
Go to Step 5
|
| 4
|
Correct the system pressure. Does the engine still overheat? |
– | Go to Step 5
|
System OK
|
| 5
|
|
-37 C (-34°F)
|
Go to Step 6
|
Go to Step 7
|
| 6
|
Correct as necessary. Does the engine still overheat?
|
–
|
Go to Step 7
|
System OK
|
| 7
|
|
–
|
Go to Step 9
|
Go to Step 8
|
| 8
|
Replace the tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical – 3.4 L. Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 9
|
System OK
|
| 9
|
Check to see if the timing is retarded by a malfunctioning powertrain control module (PCM). Is the timing retarded by a malfunctioning PCM? |
–
|
Go to Step 10
|
Go to Step 11
|
| 10
|
Correct as necessary. Does the engine still overheat?
|
–
|
Go to Step 11
|
System OK
|
| 11
|
Check to see if any of the radiator fins are obstructed. Are any of radiator fins obstructed? |
–
|
Go to Step 12
|
Go to Step 13
|
| 12
|
Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 13
|
System OK
|
| 13
|
Check to see if any of the cooling system passages are blocked by rust or scale. Are any of the cooling system passages blocked by rust or scale? |
–
|
Go to Step 14
|
Go to Step 15
|
| 14
|
Does the engine still overheat?
|
–
|
Go to Step 15
|
System OK
|
| 15
|
Check for a pinched or kinked coolant recovery reservoir hose. Is the surge tank hose pinched orkinked? |
–
|
Go to Step 16
|
Go to Step 17
|
| 16
|
Replace or reroute the hose as necessary. Refer to Surge Tank Hose/Pipe Replacement – Inlet. Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 17
|
System OK
|
| 17
|
Check for an inoperative cooling fan. Refer to Cooling Fan Inoperative in Engine Cooling. Are there any inoperative cooling fans? |
–
|
Go to Step 18
|
Go to Step 19
|
| 18
|
Repair or replace the electric cooling fans as necessary. Refer to Cooling Fan Motor Replacement – Electric. Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 19
|
System OK
|
| 19 | Check for a loose, damaged, and/or missing deflector. Are there any loose, damaged, or missingdeflectors? |
–
|
Go to Step 20
|
Go to Step 21
|
| 20
|
Replace the deflectors. Does the engine still overheat?
|
–
|
Go to Step 21
|
System OK
|
| 21
|
Check to see if the thermostat is stuck in the closed position. Is the thermostat stuck in the closedposition? |
–
|
Go to Step 22
|
Go to Step 23
|
| 22
|
Replace the thermostat. Refer to Thermostat Replacement. Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 23
|
System OK
|
| 23
|
Check for a faulty coolant pump. Is the coolant pump faulty? |
–
|
Go to Step 24
|
Go to Step 25
|
| 24
|
Replace the water pump. Refer to Water Pump Replacement. Does the engine still overheat? |
–
|
Go to Step 25
|
System OK
|
| 25
|
Check for an incorrect radiator. Is the radiator correct? |
–
|
Go to Step 26
|
|
| 26
|
Install the correct radiator. Refer to Radiator Replacement. Does the engine still overheat? |
– | _ | System OK |
Pontiac Torrent Engine Overheating
Tags: Auto Repair, Auto Repair Assistance, Coolant System Flushing, Coolant Temp Sensor, Cooling System, Cooling System Diagnosis, Engine Overheating, How to Repair a Car, Pontiac Torrent, Preventive Maintenance, Radiator Replacement, Thermostat Replacement, Vehicle, Water Pump Replacement