Vectra Runs Real HOT!!

frenzal_tom · #1 05-03-2006, 02:03 PM

Mothers vectra runs real hot the temp gauge reads above 90 when in traffic and and about 80 on the highway
question is wot is wrong??

Juzza · #2 05-03-2006, 02:17 PM

Could possibly be the water pump on the cooling system, hows the fluid levels? If the coolant bottle empties within a month of filling it you've got a water pump problem. Another way to check is to turn the car on, rev the **** out of it to get it hot 'till the cooling fan turns on and have a look while it's running to see if the car's dripping water onto the sump

Doctor Bob · #3 05-03-2006, 02:56 PM

those are pretty normal operating temperatures
sounds like nothing is wrong

Rob

Stewart1000 · #4 05-03-2006, 07:33 PM

well isnt that actually a bit low, 80 on the hwy?

VTSSDUDE · #5 06-03-2006, 10:27 AM

Sounds normal, my Gen III runs at 94.

Don Sutton · #6 06-03-2006, 10:49 AM

If it isn't loosing water its probably OK. The gauge on a Vectra stops dead at 100deg so difficult to tell if it is up to boiling temp (not sure what pressure is on the cap). The thermostat is set to open at 92 so it would not be fully open until 3 to 5 degrees later. My own Vectra gets pretty hot in summer stop/start traffic (goes up to top of gauge) and I have been considering a lower temp sensor switch to bring the fan in sooner otherwise mine runs 89-93. Once on the move the temp drops pretty quickly down to normal. If it is a V6 then the coolant is also cooling the engine oil via the cooler in the Valley.

jack.mc · #7 06-03-2006, 11:15 AM

My mums is doing the same thing at the moment, getting well intot he red. This can't be normal can it?

frenzal_tom · #8 06-03-2006, 05:30 PM

would the temperature of the car have anything to do wif the car stalling/ cutting out??
making it cut out so the heat cant do any damage?

Doctor Bob · #9 06-03-2006, 10:07 PM

the stalling may be related but only by heating up the cam & crank sensors, these & the iacv are the most common causes of stalling in a vectra

Rob

jack.mc · #10 07-03-2006, 02:30 PM

ours is jumping from around 85 to off the scale very suddenly, within a minute. any tips? i'm thinking water pump, i'll find out whats happening there...

Don Sutton · #11 07-03-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack.mcintyre

ours is jumping from around 85 to off the scale very suddenly, within a minute. any tips? i'm thinking water pump, i'll find out whats happening there...

Check wiring connections. This has the hallmarks of corrosion on a terminal used in a connector. You can disconnect the temp sensor and gauge will probably go off scale. Disconnect and reconnect all the connectors in the chain from the temp sensor.
Water pump can leak but does not stop and start to cause temp fluctuations. It either leaks and keeps on turning pumping water or the bearings collapse and it breaks the belt or belt jumps off in which case the powersteering will get heavy and the alternator and Air/Con will stop working.