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VX 2001 "overheating"

Discussion in 'VT - VX Holden Commodore (1997 - 2002)' started by Johnnz, May 16, 2020 at 2:19 PM.

  1. Johnnz

    Johnnz New Member

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    Righto car "overheats" sometimes around 80-100 but the moment I let abit more gas in and go say 105-110+ it drops down again, or pull over for a min it drops to normal temp. Cant find any leaks anywhere could this just be a wonky thermo? Radiator fans? Not sure where to start
     
  2. Aussie Trev

    Aussie Trev Active Member

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    Turn the AC on and check that the thermo fans come on. Does it stay cool with the AC on?, assuming the fans start up with the AC that is. Is there any water loss? Inlet manifold gaskets get tired and it can start sucking air into the system via the gaskets instead of coolant from the overflow as the engine cools which can them lead to an air lock in the cooling system. This can show up as small amounts of coolant loss, which stays in the overflow bottle instead of returning to the engine. Whatever it is it needs seeing to urgently before the engine cooks.
     
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  3. Trevor loves holden.

    Trevor loves holden. Well-Known Member

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    Its a process of elimination first be making sure your system is full of coolant, the next thing would be to see if the fans are working, once it warms up see if the top hose is passing coolant that would tell you its a sticky thermostat or not, then finally your water pump could be rooted.
     
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  4. Johnnz

    Johnnz New Member

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    Im hoping its not this but its a possibility
     
  5. Johnnz

    Johnnz New Member

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    Radiators still full top coolant hose full but just checked and 1 fan doesnt work. The one on the left doesnt spin with or without ac
     

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  6. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    It's not a fan issue 100% if it was a fan issue it would happen below 10km not at 80-100km.
    I would first start with a radiator and engine flush to see if there's any crap in there. Then check if there's much crap stuck between the condensor and radiator if there is blow it out with an air gun.
    After you do these two things check how it operates.
    It seems to be overheating during highway lean out which sways me to thinking it's a system efficiency issue.
     
  7. BowTie

    BowTie Active Member

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    Flush and replace waterpump and thermo and rad cap. These are dirt cheap.

    Last waterpump I swapped had no fins left.

    Once these are replaced, 90% of issues resolve.

    Then rad.
     
  8. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    If the water pump was the issue it would over heat at higher road speeds too. Water pumps when they loose the pump fins will overheat fairly quick at any road speed.
    Thermostat is the same it will over heat at any road speed.
     
  9. Trevor loves holden.

    Trevor loves holden. Well-Known Member

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    That picture showing high temp fan switching on so its reached over 114deg or there about, switch out the low fan relay and see if it fires up. The low fan should kick in at 104deg or when your A/C is on.
     
  10. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    Neither should turn on at 80kmh.
     
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  11. Trevor loves holden.

    Trevor loves holden. Well-Known Member

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    PMSL they work of temperature not speed, hell sitting in traffic can turn them on. Better go back to trade school.
     
  12. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    Maybe you need to go back to school.
    A thermo fan is only capable of moving air at a certain speed I can remember how fast exactly but it's around 20kmh. At 80kmh the amount of air moving accross the radiator is far greater than any fan could ever dream to move.
    Thus at speed the temp of the engine should never rearch thermo fan cut in.
    This is why you always hear them cut in at drive throughs because there is no air moving across the radiator.

    If you can't understand this concept you best give up trolling people on car forums and actually go into the real world and do a tafe course.
     
  13. Trevor loves holden.

    Trevor loves holden. Well-Known Member

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    Lot of factors come into play why they come on during 80-100km per hour, following to closely behind traffic, towing extra weight, very hot day, unhealthy engine, transmission over heating, but never say never as that is wrong information, fans don't have to go as fast as there no air restriction in its path like a bumper bar. ;)
     

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