Hello All!

I have a 1998 3.8L with 122k miles on it. For the past year or so, I've had various cooling issues. Last April, changed out the Thermostat. Last June, got a new water pump. Just this past February, got the radiator replaced (and fresh coolant) and a head gasket, due to an overheat. Since then, the car ran fine, and I don't drive it very hard at all, but I get high temperature readings accelerating up hills and at stops. On the highway (~55-75mph), it ranges from normal to slightly above normal. Just today, I heard a popping noise under acceleration. The motor oil gets changed regularly, and I've taken otherwise very good care of the car! Any suggestions aside from what I've already fixed would be much appreciated!

Happy motoring!

 

Is the fan cutting on like it should?

 

hmmm...even though you replaced the thermostat last year, it could be a bad one. since they arent expensive, id try that first...then bleed your system, and make sure there are no air bubbles in the lines. the two culprits i just listed have been the overheating problems i usually come across in the 10 cars or so ive owned.

 

Thanks! I'll try bleeding the system. The fan cuts on normally, and I would only hope I didn't buy a bad thermostat. But all the other hardware replacement sounds good though?

 

Well, it overheated. I took it to my shop that replaced the radiator (and thermostat...and head gasket, as well as oil change and coolant replacement), and now the problem looks like it's a fan relay switch that burned out. So in the mean time until he gets the part, I have to drive with my AC on to keep the fan on. Ridiculous. Anybody else have such drawn out cooling problems as this?