Im having and overheating issue which really has me confused. As I start up the car it runs cool during idle, but as soon as I put it in gear the temp. guage spikes up to around 190 or 200. Can someone please help?
thanks
Alex

 

If the spike happens instantaniously, it sounds like an electrical problem to me. Have you made sure your system holds pressure? Any Leaks? Have you checked the weep holes on the waterpump? Is your cooling fan coming on at all? We need lots of info if we are to help diagnose the problem. So tell us everything you can about the car and the situation.

 

I haven't tested if the system holds pressure, and how would I go about checking that? As far as leaks none are present, and neither is the water pump leaking. The fans are constantly on as I have wired them to a switch which I turn on manually. As far as the car, I just installed a new 350. As soon as I got the car and turned it on smoke started coming out of the hood. I checked underneath the car and some oil is present. Today I went to start the car and as it sat in idle the temp only went up to 180, but as I put it in drive the temp starts raising rapidly. As it reaches the 220 mark it stays there and dosent raise anymore. However as I drive the car white smoke comes out of the exhaust, it isnt that much but is still noticable.
please help
Alex

 

Check the oil dipstick and see if there is any water in the oil. Could be a head gasket.

 

If you have white smoke then your car is burning coolant in the cylinders. Most likely What Jim said, a head gasket leak. Which means you are low on coolant and your sys is not holding pressure. both are really really bad. I don't suggest driving the car any more until you fix it. You could be buying another motor. And yes definately check the oil. If it is greyish or foamy you have water in it and you WILL blow the motor if you keep driving it.

 

I checked the oil dipstick and no grayish or abnormal color is present. If it is a head gasket would I be losing coolant constantly, because I've checked the coolant level and it remains the same. Thank you guys for the help.

 

If you just installed this motor chances are you have air pocket in your cooling system.

 

I already flushed the radiator and put in new coolant and same thing is happening. Could the air pocket still be there even though the system has been flushed?

 

Yes a air pocket could still be in there. You need to drain the radiator and the block not just the radiator.

 

Try squeezing the upper hose while the engine is running, sometimes that will make the coolant "catch" and start circulating. I had to do that after replacing my water pump.

 

Oh I see, thanx for the help.


Ill try squeezing the upper hose on the car as soon as I get home this weekend, I really appreciate all the help.