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Chevrolet Cavalier: Head Gasket Issues

58 messages,  Last post on Oct 09, 2009 at 7:36 AM

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#53 of 58 Re: overheated; possible head gasket problem [Mr_Shiftright] by bella14 Jul 24, 2008 (12:22 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 22, 2008 10:34 am) Thank you for your reply. I have been driving it almost a week now and it isn't leaking fluid on my garage floor anymore -- but once I've been driving it around town a bit the needle on the temp gauge is starting to go over toward the H when all these years it always sat right in the middle between C and H. It doesn't get into the red H zone, but it is definitely no longer in the middle between C and H. Should this worry me? What does the fact that the temp is running hotter mean? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 24, 2008 4:41 pm) bella14 (Jul 25, 2008 2:14 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 25, 2008 4:52 pm)
#54 of 58 Re: overheated; possible head gasket problem [bella14] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 24, 2008 (4:41 pm)
Replying to: bella14 (Jul 24, 2008 12:22 pm) Head gasket failure wouldn't be a gradual overheat.   The general rule, to which there are exceptions, is that if you have a low speed overheat, that is, when the car is barely moving, you have an AIR circulation problem, (non-working fan for instance) and if you have a high speed overheat, that is when the car is moving fairly rapidly, you have a coolant circulation problem. (clogged radiator, stuck thermostat). Replies to this message: bella14 (Jul 25, 2008 2:14 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 25, 2008 4:52 pm)
#55 of 58 Re: overheated; possible head gasket problem [Mr_Shiftright] by bella14 Jul 25, 2008 (2:14 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 24, 2008 4:41 pm) Thanks for the info. I know nothing about engines, but I am learning something here.   I brought it to the mechanic last night for him to look at the fan -- (to show me where it was actually) He is a friend's brother in law, so I do believe that he is honest. After the engine cooled down I checked and the coolant is staying in the resevoir -- no more big leakage in my garage yet the temp gauge climbs past halfway while driving in stop and go traffic under 50 miles an hour. I was very nervous seeing it climb past the halfway point since it never used to do that.   He checked it and showed me the fan was going while the A/C was on. Then he turned the A/C off and we waited and waited to see when or if the fan would kick back on by itself. It did eventually. So it seems not to be a fan problem. He said the temp outside has something to do with how hot an engine gets, and living in Florida it gets hot here. It is usually in the 90's everyday, most of the day and sunny. Driving it at night the temp gauge still goes past the mid point, but not by much. During the day it goes over 3/4 of the way and it seems dangerously close to the white line marking the space before the dreaded red zone of H.   Why is it running so much hotter? He said it was safe to drive it at 3/4 of the way over, but it scares me. He said to pull over and shut it off if it gets into the red H zone, of course. I spend all the time behind the wheel now staring at the gauge and praying for it not to move more. Why has it changed? (He replaced the water pump, the thermostat, some sensor, and put in that Red Devil sealant in case the gasket was going.) He didn't really have an answer that was definitive for me as to why it is running hotter. I thought maybe someone here with more experience would know. Is it safe to drive at 3/4 of the way over toward HOT? How can I get it back to the safer middle area?   Thanks. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 25, 2008 4:52 pm)
#56 of 58 Re: overheated; possible head gasket problem [bella14] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 25, 2008 (4:52 pm)
Replying to: bella14 (Jul 25, 2008 2:14 pm) Sure 3/4 is fine. Engines are happier when they run hot in fact.   It might be a good idea to see if you can get the fan to kick in SOONER, that is, at a lower temperature. Changing the type of sensor could help with this.   Overheating problems can be a devil to diagnose---very challenging for any mechanic.
#57 of 58 Re: overheated; possible head gasket problem [bella14] by becky30 Jun 22, 2009 (12:31 pm)
bella14.....   Sounds like I have a very similar problem with my chevy. Was wondering if you would be able to let me know what you have found out and/or what work you have done to fix the overheating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks.
#58 of 58 Re: Head Gasket problems..... [mandi77] by trustcollin101 Oct 09, 2009 (7:36 am)
Replying to: mandi77 (Jun 21, 2005 11:01 am) it actually isn't just the 95's. it is the 90's in general. i have a 91 cavalier RS that the head gasket went out on. it sux. but i went and got a head gasket kit from NAPA and will be puttin it on this weekend. have you tried replacing the head bolts???

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