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Chevy Venture overheating problem

178 messages,  Last post on Feb 12, 2013 at 10:47 AM

You are in the Chevy Venture Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Venture, Engine, Van

Messages Page 18 of 19

#167 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [nacolej] by khulaid2

Mar 09, 2012 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: nacolej (Mar 09, 2012 12:54 pm)
I have a 2004 that has the same issue. it comes and goes now. ive changed the thermostat and waterpump as well. Pressure test your rad to make sure there are no pin hole leaks. Air pockets will also cause an overheat issue as well with air bubbles gathering at the temperature sensor head. Make sure all the air is bled completely out of the system. If the problem persists i might suspect that you have the common Head gasket problem.

#168 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [nacolej] by markbshara

Mar 09, 2012 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: nacolej (Mar 09, 2012 12:54 pm)
Tiny crack in head gasket . I fixed it and changed to green water the car now runs great.
Sincerely

#169 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [nacolej] by davet_1961

Mar 09, 2012 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: nacolej (Mar 09, 2012 12:54 pm)
Honestly, I was still having problems with the van, so, I traded it in two weeks ago for a Toyota Highlander...only got $500 trade in...

#170 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [markbshara] by nacolej

Mar 14, 2012 (2:45 pm)

Replying to: markbshara (Mar 09, 2012 2:26 pm)
Hey how did you fix it?

#171 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [nacolej] by markbshara

Mar 14, 2012 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: nacolej (Mar 14, 2012 2:45 pm)
I changed head gasket....

#172 of 178 venture cooling system by dmosser

Mar 15, 2012 (4:57 am)

I sold it to carmax.

#173 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [nacolej] by clawson32

Aug 21, 2012 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: nacolej (Mar 14, 2012 2:45 pm)
guys i work at a car dealer and i own one of these doomed ventures. one of the techs told me that if you own a venture its not a matter of if but when with these. if your van is overheating and you are losing coolant it's a 99% chance it's a bad head gasket. if it's leaking out keep putting water in or coolant and you can be ok for a while. we used some blue devil or something like that stuff on mine and it didn't really work. but they are known for bad head gaskets. g.m. should do something for us. i've met 5 people that have had ventures since i've bought mine and they all had the exact same problem.

#174 of 178 98 Venture Cooling System by josechill

Aug 21, 2012 (1:53 pm)

Hi guys. I have a 98 chevy venture and i been reading everybody topic but i still haven't found an answer to the big problem of the overheat. my car was overheating and it cause me lots of heartache. my tranny went and i had to get it rebuilt then the headgasket went so i had to get my heads done but the major problem that i haven't seen yet is are your fans turning. my fans don't turn on until it get 3/4 till it hits the red mark. i change the thermostat 3 time i change the waterpump twice, i had the coolent system flush but it still didn't solve my problem which is why the fans don't turn on. i had to unplug the thermostat harness and the fans turn on on high when i start the car and stay on. it help because now it don't overheat but i have the check engine light on. can so one figure how to fix his problem so i don't have to leave the thermostat unplug. Thanks so much to all of you out there.

#175 of 178 Re: 98 Venture Cooling System [josechill] by russ23

Aug 21, 2012 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: josechill (Aug 21, 2012 1:53 pm)
Man, you are a glutton for punishment!! Okay, I feel the pain, too, I have a 1998 Venture also. I solved the pain by installing a used engine at 125k. I have the set of factory service manuals and they do not make it easy for troubleshooting the cooling fans. The data is too much to paraphrase here so I can only give you some basics. The engine computer (PCM) operates the fans by opening and closing the ground for the fans. The PCM will command the low speed fan to come on when coolant temp exceeds 221 degrees. The fan will come on whenever you turn on the A/C. I am going to make a guess your A/C does not work. If that is true the two may be related as far as high speed fan operation. The fan will also operate with the engine off when the engine coolant temp is over 140 degrees. The PCM will ground all 3 engine coolant fan relays when the coolant temp is 235 degrees or the A/C pressure is too high. The PCM receives the temp data from the engine coolant temp sensor ECT. That sensor is located near the thermostat. There is also a coolant temp fan switch which operates the fan when temps exceed 230 degrees. I could not find that switch, so I believe it may be the same as the ECT. You also have 2 fuses that power the fans. To get a handle on this you need a scanner to see if the low speed fan comes on at 221 and high at 230 to 235 degrees. Without the scanner there is no way to see what the computer is seeing to begin diagnostics. That leaves you to the mercy of the local GM dealer to troubleshoot for you. Another issue is that it is obvious DEXCOOL anti-freeze has failed and probably wiped out your radiator and possibly the heater core. Look in the radiator, do you see a lot of brown mud? If so it is highly suspect. It is close to impossible to clean out the mud as EPA has banned all the stuff that used to work. There is anther option all parts houses sell after market radiator coolant fans. These fans are controled by a simple temp sensor and relay that goes to the battery. This will bypass the engine computer and operate the fans as needed. Unfortunately the Check Engine Light will stay on until your fix this.

#176 of 178 Re: 2002 venture overheating, Cheap Fix! Quick and simply [kellermeier] by chuckyzfr1

Feb 08, 2013 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: kellermeier (Jan 28, 2011 9:44 pm)
Hey Kellermeier, or anyone else who has tried this:
 
I'm having the exact same issue with a 2002 Chevy Venture, seems like there is this steam pressure buildup in the cooling system that prevents the water pump from moving coolant through the cooling system. I tried installing the maid-o-mist #78 with great expectations but nothing! It did not vent any steam at all, and the van is exhibiting the exact same problems. I need help! I just need something that will vent steam and not allow coolant to exit, a sort of purge system. The van runs fine when you purge the steam, the temp stays normal and the heat works, but as soon as the steam builds up it goes wonky again. Help!!!

Messages Page 18 of 19

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