Why does my car keep overheating?

Asked by Brian Mar 02, 2021 at 06:09 PM about the 2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car keeps overheating even after changing out the
water pump the thermostat and the thermostat sensor
and trying to bypass the heater core it still overheats so
what would be my next option before I have to tear the
dash apart and replace the heater core but if I bypass the
heater core and it still overheating wouldn't that mean that
I bought a bad thermostat

2 Answers

155,245

If it's overheating at idle or slow speed it's an airflow problem. Check the radiator cooling fans and be sure the front of the radiator is not blocked by dirt, leaves, or other debris. If it overheats at expressway speeds it's a coolant circulation problem. Water pump, thermostat, blocked cooling system passages, air trapped in the cooling system, and possibly a collapsed lower radiator hose. Rev the engine and see if the suction from the water pump is pulling the lower radiator hose shut. Since the water pump and thermostat are new I'd suspect a clogged radiator or clogged cooling system passages in the engine if you're overheating at expressway speeds. Changing the heater core will not help. Are you getting heat? If not that points to air in the cooling system or a clogged heater core. If the heater core is clogged you can bet the rest of the cooling system is too! Hope that helps! Jim

2 people found this helpful.
1,645

Could also be a coolant issue. Make sure you are using the correct specified orange coolant

2 people found this helpful.

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