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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 10 of 18

#91 of 178 Temperature Gauge Fluctuating...? by damon88

May 14, 2009 (4:13 am)

Admittedly, I did not browse the thousands of posts associated with the Venture but I seen enough to start second guessing my decision to buy my Venture.
 
I have Cerebral Palsy and have never been able to really work on cars, so my practical knowledge of the inner-workings of a motor is limited. My wife and I had been without a car for about 6 months and with 2 small kids, this is no easy feat. We finally got in a position to buy a car and pay for it outright so after looking for about two weeks we found a 2002 Chevy Venture with 99,500 miles on it. Needless to say we spent ALL the money we had saved up to buy a car.
 
So yesterday a family member drove me to look at the car and test drive it. Everything was fine and the car ran perfect, no problems. We exchange money, paperwork, etc. and I start driving home. After 35 minutes on the freeway going around 65 mph, I noticed the temp gauge starting to elevate slightly...not too bad, about 6 or 7 tenths of the way toward HOT. It wasn't until I got it off the interstate that it started going almost...almost in the red and then back down about 5/8 of the way on the gauge towards HOT. I didn't mention it to my wife because she was so excited that we FINALLY had a decent car again and could take our two small kids out...like to the park for picnics and all.
 
I noticed yesterday after the wife and kids went inside that there was "dirt" or something in the coolant reservoir. I say dirt but it looked more like fragments of a film or something and it was floating on the surface. Obviously dirt wouldn't float... it's pinkish / orange, the coolant I mean. I'm not sure if it's the infamous Dexcool everyone is talking about or not.
 
Anyway, I plan on checking to see if there is any fluid in the radiator in a few hours when it is sunny enough to see. I only got about 5 hours sleep and then I have been up researching the possible heating problems on this thing. I hope, at the most, it just needs flushing and possibly the intake gaskets replaced... and not any head gasket work...uugghh.
 
Before I take it to a mechanic, is there possibly anything I could do...or maybe ask a friend to do?
Thanks

#92 of 178 Re: Temperature Gauge Fluctuating...? [damon88] by AJGWHEELS

May 14, 2009 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: damon88 (May 14, 2009 4:13 am)
FIRST of all get the HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL for this vehicle num. 38036,it will cost around $15.00 ,on this book it explain step by step the procedure when flushing and adding new coolant ( dont use the DEXCOOL ), I own a 2001 venture and went thru the same problem, OK, the gauge should be at the middle at all times , it will go up about 1/4 then it will return back to the middle, when it goes up and NOT using the A/C the fans will turn on to cool the system back to normal temp. FLUSHING: flush the system as described in the book , put in the best coolant possible , not DEXCOOL ,Ive been told by experienced mechanics at GM about the problems that causes using this. theres a procedure when filling up coolant to the system to avoid any AIR in the system , this is what causes the gauge needle to go up almost to the red zone. OPTIONS: also I suggest that replace the UPPER gasket manifold ( PLENUM) and lower exhaust manifold , theres a kit that comes both of the gaskets. If you follow the repair manual procedure , you can do it , its not that difficult if youre good with tools. let me know if you need me to send the procedure of coolant system filling. thanks hope it helps AJ

#93 of 178 Re: overheating problem fixed [gmz1] by chevettelover

May 28, 2009 (9:25 am)

Replying to: gmz1 (Apr 14, 2009 4:02 pm)
What did you look for with leak in the radiator? Was there telltale steam or something. Need help desperately,got to go out of town, car won't go around the block! Quirky situation,heater won't blow any heat. If you can, help is appreciated.

#94 of 178 Re: overheating problem fixed [chevettelover] by k00l4id

May 28, 2009 (9:56 am)

Replying to: chevettelover (May 28, 2009 9:25 am)
When the Engine is running Idle in the drive way, let it get to temperature(if it can), watch the temp guage. Once it reaches temp, use a rag or put a glove on and squeeze the upper rad hose. See if theres pressure. If there is pressure there, then it might be that your Thermostat is stuck in the closed position. In which case the throttle body assembly must be dissasembled and thermostat changed. Pretty straight forward to remove it and replace it. Make sure to get an OEM or ThirdParty Gasket for the throttle body as well. 2nd Place to look is the Heater Core. Sometimes they get obstructed and cause you to have no heat whatsoever. The heater core is on the Passenger Side firewall. Hope this points you in the right direction
 
John,
Belleville Ontario

#95 of 178 Re: overheating problem fixed [chevettelover] by AJGWHEELS

May 28, 2009 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: chevettelover (May 28, 2009 9:25 am)
in my situation , the leak was coming from around the OIL FILTER , theres 2 short
 rubber hose that with time it goes soft and breaks, its not that difficult to replace,
    just went to PEP BOYS and purchase about 12 " of rubber hose size 3/8, remember that theres a procedure when adding COOLANT to your vehicle , not just pour in and put the cap on

#96 of 178 head gasket by gezzyman

Jul 22, 2009 (3:18 pm)

i recently started to get antifreeze in one of my ventures cylinders, the van never overheated, found antifreeze in the oil filter (a friend of mine told me the dexcool seperates from the oil so it doesnt get that chocolate milk appearance in the oil pan) Im not sure wether to repair the head gasket or just replace the motor....i hate to replace the gasket only to have the motor blow down the road due to antifreeze in the bearings.it has 125k miles on it and was well taken care of... Is there any way to flush the residual anifreeze out of the motor? any input or advice will GREATLY be appreciated thanks mike

#97 of 178 Re: head gasket [gezzyman] by jodyr

Jul 22, 2009 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: gezzyman (Jul 22, 2009 3:18 pm)
I'm sorry to hear your bad luck and unfortunately I do not have an answer for you about the head gasket. But what I would recommend is to get rid of the van altogether!! I am very disappointed with mine, I only have 77k miles on mine venture and I need a new driveline. Not to mention the problems I had with my dexcooling. What we did to "help" with the overheating was mix water with it and it seemed to help, but it still gets warm. I initially took the van to the dealer for a clunking noise that you heard when you put the vehicle into or out of park and also my AWD disabled light come on. They told me it is my transmission and I told them to go to _ _ _ _!! I took it to a mechanic and he pulled up a technical service bulletin from the Mitchell Repair Information Co., LLC, which says in service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions. Any how sorry to carry on, but as you can see I am very upset about my van. Good Luck

#98 of 178 Re: 2002 Chevy Venture WB AWD [spelly3388] by fmata

Aug 02, 2009 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: spelly3388 (May 01, 2008 1:00 pm)
Hi. I had this problem a couple of years ago with my 1996 Monte Carlo. Turned out to be the fuel pump of all things!

#99 of 178 2003 Chevy venture... by pat_carithers

Sep 02, 2009 (8:46 pm)

Okay, my problems started when the overflow pipe (near water pump) ruptured! Yes, I purchased this van used 4 years ago. Someone pounded on the pipe, changing the serpentine belt...obviously, not much of a mechanic. Then, someone put the wrong coolant into the system. We were not using DEX; someone topped it off without checking the system or asking questions. The mixture clogged the radiator something fierce... So, we had it pressure-tested and replaced. We also changed the radiator cap, water pump, thermostat, temperature sensor, hoses, and clamps. There is no coolant in the oil. My dad, a diesel mechanic checked the manifold gaskets and pronounced them fine. But, the coolant goes into the reservoir and does not drain back into the radiator without bleeding the system first AND loosening the radiator cap.
 
I love this vehicle. I had an accident with my Cavalier and I cannot drive another car. Yes, I was the only one injured and it took almost a year to recover...so, I really need to get this thing fixed! Help!

#100 of 178 02 chevy venture overheating by kyjeffry3

Sep 05, 2009 (5:31 pm)

ok i am sick single mom 3 kids and have spent all i can i had my van for 8 mo. no problem then it just overheated out of no where... dex cool nightmare flushed twice then was told bad water pump and thermostat lasted a day then overheated after 2 miles was told intake valve leak new gaskets thermostat agin all new hoses new serpentine belt .. new radiator cap. $1700.00 later i picked my car up lasted 2 weeks and i broke doqn 125 miles away from home again new thermostat new hoses plus the tow.. i want to cry... head gasket test fine sits at an idle ok put it in drive go 2 miles and the temp is in the red the water is boiling/bubbling fans are on and yes i turned that little thing and released the air by the water pump... hose going to the motor on the right is as hot as heck and i know a little about cars but i am sooo lost with this ... help mom of three on a bike!!!

Messages Page 10 of 18

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