95 Cavalier Overheating

[EmersonHart13]

My little cousin has a 95 Cavalier that is overheating... I will get the car tonight to diagnose it but thought I would ask if anyone has any pointers?

I know my uncle looked at it and he said it takes a long time to overheat even on a hot day... The fan does come on, though I do not know if there is a low or high setting and whether or not they work. The AC sucks and doesn't work unless you are moving.

Thanks,

John

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[Dasfinc]

Headgasket, Clogged cat, bad exhaust leak?

Those 2.2 OHV's are REALLY stout little motors, Headgaskets are not uncommon though.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

My answer is whatever James says it is.

 

[EmersonHart13]

I know they are crazy, this thing has one crazy well. She needs it to last until the end of the year.

If it was the thermostat I would think the over heating would be more obvious. Also since the fan is coming on I doubt it is that, but if it is a multi speed fan then that might be it. I'll check the exhaust.

I hope it isn't the head gasket, car does run good.

 

[Stink Star]

THOSE CARS HAVE A FAIRLY COMPLICATED COOLING SYSTEM SETUP.... IM ASSUMING ITS A 2.2? DOES THE COOLANT LOOK MURKY AND SMELL BAD? THATS A SURE SIGN OF A HEAD GASKET LEAKING COMBUSTION GASSES INTO THE COOLANT JACKETS

 

[EmersonHart13]

I will check tonight and report back.

Ever replace it? Big job?

 

[Dasfinc]

I will check tonight and report back.

Ever replace it? Big job?

IIRC it is fairly easy, just time consuming.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Gosh Dangit.... I bet you that is what it is...

It kinda makes sense... Car takes a long time to over heat and doesn't want to just sitting there, but while driving it it will.

 

[bikrboy128]

does the car have heat?
head gasket failure is pretty common on these. i bet most of the OHV 2.2Ls on the road today are on their second H/G.
if not, that's another big sign of a h/g. the leak pushes combustion gas into the coolant passages creating air pockets. the air will find its way to the highest point, usually the heater core. air pocket = no heat.
a head gasket on the OHV isnt too bad. much easier than the newer cavi with an ecotech!

 

[EmersonHart13]

I did not have a chance to see it tonight.

Update though.... Apparently the car only overheats when idling now. Once again I have not seen it so take this with a grain of salt.

I suspect thermostat at this point.

 

[BillyBru]

2.4 ftw. good luck john!

 

[EmersonHart13]

Thanks man, I am going to look at it tomorrow.

 

[Dasfinc]

2.4 ftw. good luck john!

I doubt it is a Z24/2.4, those DOHC's are happy little motors, but when things go wrong, they go wrong in grand style.

 

[EmersonHart13]

It isn't a Z24.

 

[BillyBru]

I doubt it is a Z24/2.4, those DOHC's are happy little motors, but when things go wrong, they go wrong in grand style.

uhhhhhh ok dasfinc.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

the 2.2L cylinder head casting once it's seasoned will have a 6-10 thou' low spot near cylinder 4. (on a rwd its the drivers side of the #4 cylinder, of FWD it's towards the front of the car at cyl 4 (look below tstat area) most times youl see coolant weeping externally as well as the internal leak

cut the head 10, and a new gasket and it will run forever, only time ive seen it blow twice is when the head isnt cut

imma not even fucking with the s10's bhg cause as soon as i fix his infinity im getting it and tossing a 3800 in it lol

 

[09cobaltss]

I think you're on the right track with the thermostat. I would check that first. It's cheap and easy to change so starting there would be pretty smart

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

if you do the tstat drill an 1/16th or 1/8th inch hole in it or if it has the little dingleberry valve rip that out instead

if the t stat gets airlocked the air will force through the hole and alow hot water to get to the pellet assembly to get it to open.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[hellraiser319]

It is a single speed fan, sounds like a thermostat, mine got wedged open and it would do the similar, except it was winter, it would become operating temp at lights or higher and 100 driving. I don't remember if they put vent valves on the cooling system in '95 to bleed it out, but if it has them, fill the coolant till they flow just coolant, close them, top off the tank, then you should be good. If thermo doesn't do it, head gasket perhaps, but on these they are painfully easy.

 

[bikrboy128]

cut the head 10, and a new gasket and it will run forever, only time ive seen it blow twice is when the head isnt cut

i heard techs used to do a "slip and slide" to fix a h/g leak on these.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

2.2's are rock solid

they tick like a motherfucker but they're the damn energizer bunny

 

[EmersonHart13]

Fan isn't working, relay appears to be good, flipped it with another, fuse is good.

So I think it is the fan motor.

Coolant was nice and orange, lower radiator hose was hot, thing runs like a champ and even with no fan it is very hard to overheat.