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Chevy Venture overheating problem

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

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

Messages Page 6 of 19

#47 of 178 2003 venture overheating by startingover

Jun 05, 2008 (11:10 am)

I bought my daughter a 2003 chevy venture with less than 50k miles. Ran fine first 5 months, now it is overheating (past half way). I took to a local repair shop I use, they felt it was the computer, fan does not come on soon enough, causing it to overheat, and I had to take to a dealer. Took to a dealer, they said the radiator was full of crud, had to be replaced and the water pump was leaking, price $1500.00. I had both replaced by my local guy who gave me the water pump and said nothing was wrong with it, still feels it is the computer not turning fan on in time, cost $779.00. Dealer says either the fan comes on or it doesn't. Now I have to take it back to the dealer to have it diagnosed again! The dealer said maybe the cause did not show up because of the water pump and radiator. Please, I acknowledge I know litte about cars and I am a woman so they think they can scam me, but that does not make sense. Any sugestions at this time? Can she continue to run the van past half without causing major problems?? Thank for any suggestions.

#48 of 178 Re: 2003 venture overheating [startingover] by 442dude

Jun 05, 2008 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: startingover (Jun 05, 2008 11:10 am)
Hello,
 
Forgive me if I type in random thoughts as there is a lot in your post to digest...I'll do my best to help...
 Overheating, needle past 1/2 way...How far? does it go into the red or is it hovering a little higher than you're used to?
 
New radiator...hmmm...did your mechanic replace the thermostat when he replaced the radiator? It should be listed on the bill if he did...the thermostat could be hanging up and not opening all the way...the Ventures eat thermostats for lunch, yours might be bad...mostly labor to replace, inexpensive part, about 400 bucks cause of the labor to replace it...if the radiator was full of gunk it could have ruined the thermostat as well...did he flush the system?
 
temperature sensor? there is a sensor that reads the temp of the antifreeze, could have been fouled by the gunk and reading incorrectly....
 
does the fan ever come on? if it comes on, then its OK...the temp sensor tells it to turn on...see above
 
turn the heat on full blast...does the needle come down? the gauges in the Venture have also been known to be fluky....
 
I gave you a few questions...check it out and let me know...I think its OK to run the van as long as the needle stays out of the red but you should try to find out the problem in fairly short order....

#49 of 178 Re: 2003 venture overheating [442dude] by startingover

Jun 06, 2008 (4:03 am)

Replying to: 442dude (Jun 05, 2008 4:51 pm)
Thanks for the reply, sorry should have given this information. 1st thing done was repalce the thermostat. That was before the radiator. Found the radiator was NOT flushed when the thermostat was changed, tried that before the radiator was replaced. The needle goes just past half way, never into the red. If you turn on the heater, it does go down. Should the thermostat be replaced again? I will take you suggestions to the mechanic, that I trust and ask him if these have been considered. Thanks for the response, hope this additional information sheds some more light!!

#50 of 178 Re: 2003 venture overheating [startingover] by 442dude

Jun 06, 2008 (10:25 am)

Replying to: startingover (Jun 06, 2008 4:03 am)
Hi,
 
First things first...I'm not a mechanic unless there's some beer and a shade tree around...but I do have a Venture and I do work on it so I only reply to problems if I have experience with them...just wanted to be up front...
 
That being said, I have 3 thoughts/suggestions:
 
1 - I don't think you've done any damage by driving it while the needle was just a tick above 1/2 way...its a little warmer than usual, but I don't think its a big deal.
 
2 - I wouldn't be surprised if changing the thermostat again would cure your problem...the new thermostat could have gotten messed up by all of the gunk that was in there before the radiator was flushed or even while/after it was flushed if it wasn't removed when the flushing was done.
 
3 - (and maybe less likely) After you refill the cooling system, there is a procedure to bleed out all of the air from the system. There are air bleeders by the thermostat housing and by the water pump which have to be opened to let all of the air out...perhaps this procedure was overlooked when the system was refilled?
 
Good luck...let us know how you do...
 
John

#51 of 178 vetnure van overheat and high idle by c3banjo

Jun 09, 2008 (9:33 am)

I've read through this blog and can offer this experience - the engine temp in my 2001 Venture has been fine for the last two years since having the intake manifold gasket replaced. I went as far as having the thermostat replaced but the problem came back. Dealer claimed to know squat and was completely clueless. A local mechanic new of the intake manifold gasket problem, found a small leak which went undetected due to evaporation and performed a pressure test which confirmed the problem. The van has been fine in that respect since.
For the past two years the engine races in temps over 85 degrees. I posted this problem on the chevy board and opinion there is Idle Air Control valve. It's been 90 degrees plus in the NEast this past weekend and the van is racing again. The idle will reset sometimes when turning ignition off and on but its only a matter of time before it kicks up again. Last year I lost the small radiator hose and serp belt due in part to this excessive racing (71000 miles). Any insight into this problem is appreciated. I'll report back if replacing the IAC resolves this problem.
On another note, I've had some goofy electrical problems with this van (fan control, rear AC vent door, stereo gets hot) but it does drive nice, has good pickup, gets good gas mileage and hauls a lot of gear - if you get a good one or can get past the BS, they're good vans. I have to keep it now - its worth nothing on trade-in!

#52 of 178 Re: 2002 Chevy Venture WB AWD [442dude] by rockbazz

Jun 09, 2008 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (May 19, 2008 5:31 am)
..well, it's finally gotten warm up here in Ottawa. We're in the 90's this past weekend. So, what happens, I drive with the AC on for about 30 mins, pull in the driveway and stop the car. The temp is under the 1/2 way mark. (shockingly). For fun, I started the van back up and it ran for about 10 secs and died. I couldn't start it back up again.
The symptoms are just like running out of gas. An hour later, started up fine.
Going back to the dealer with the idea that these folks need to do some digging in their database for similar issues. Count on the fact that I'll be asking them about the crankshaft position sensor!.. this is nuts - and I'm going on a long trip in 2 weeks and I don't want to take this van until its fixed.. I recalled last night that the dealer did run into the van stalling at their place a few months back in the winter even!.. They had to push it back into the garage and repair. They said it was a bad connection on the fuel pump. Well, only because the Van cooled down did it start again. - I'll be reminding them of this incident and that what they thought was the problem, actually wasn't !.. Stay tuned ...

#53 of 178 Re: 2002 Chevy Venture WB AWD [rockbazz] by fleastiff

Jun 23, 2008 (9:52 am)

Replying to: rockbazz (Jun 09, 2008 7:31 pm)
I'm in Florida so only deal with a very warm climate and my 2000 Venture's guage doesn't really climb that high but I find that when I exit the vehicle I can smell hot metal and the plastic container for the coolant is empty. No leak detected though.
It is misfiring but its running fairly quiet.
Anyone have ideas as to causation?

#54 of 178 Re: Venture Vans [theksmom] by jhirneisen

Jun 29, 2008 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: theksmom (Aug 24, 2007 6:15 pm)
For all of you who have had problems with DEX COOL (including me) in Montana engines (and the other 2 GM sister mini-vans, and several other GM cars and trucks), there is a proposed CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. GM does not admit any problems, but it looks like they will have to reimburse effected owners.
See this web-site:
http://www.dexcoolsettlement.com/
 
Jack ....in Colorado

#55 of 178 Re: 2002 Chevy Venture WB AWD [fleastiff] by 442dude

Jun 30, 2008 (5:56 am)

Replying to: fleastiff (Jun 23, 2008 9:52 am)
Sounds like an internal leak...lower intake manifold gaskets or head gasket possibly...unfortunately a common failure...
 
I bet the hot metal smell is the cat converter as its getting really hot due to the misfire issue...

#56 of 178 Re: 2002 Chevy Venture WB AWD [442dude] by rockbazz

Jul 06, 2008 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (Jun 30, 2008 5:56 am)
I'mmm baaackkkk
I just got back from a 2 week travelling trip.
Prior to the trip, the dealer installed a monitoring capture device that I could enable if I had the problem and get some info to take back.. unfortunately, I didn't have the problem.. I decided to pull the trigger and have the crankshaft sensor changed... I had to do something to see if it would resolve the problem.. All was looking good until my LAST stop for gas on the highway coming home.. it did it again ....arrggg......
I'll have to let them know that we can eliminate that component as the issue..
..it really is just like I don't get fuel to start the thing up.. strange.. I'll keep you posted of any news..
thanks to fleastiff for the URL on that claim. I understand a similar case has occurred in the Province of Ontario so I'll be looking to see how that progresses..
Cheers

Messages Page 6 of 19

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