QuestionI have a 1994 chevy beretta that is getting extremely hot!! We have recently changed the water pump, the thermostat, and the fan is working. Another web site said it could be the caylytic converter. How would we know if that is it, and what woould we do about it!!!
AnswerHi Dawn,
If the CAT were the culpret, then you would also have some driveability complaints, too. Is this running good, until it overheats? Is it overheating? When does it overheat? All the time, or highway, or idling but not when moving, etc?
Here is my possibilities, based entirely on the fact that you complain of extreamly hot, and no performance issues. Collapsing hose (hose is pinching down on itself), worn out radiator (plugged up), radiator cap is not venting (get a new one with less pressure than before), thermostat is wrong heat range (causing the car to run hotter than before, but not overheat).
Some Chevy's have vents on the cooling system lines that need to be blead off when you refill the cooling system. I know the 3.1 V-6 has these. They look like bleeder fittings, and are on the metal lines that go around the motor. If you have them, with the car running, open them until the coolant comes out, then close them.
I know this is a dumb question, but did you possibly mix the coolant colors? Did you drain out red coolant and put in green? Probably not, and I hope not. But I had to throw it out there.
If it were the CAT, you would have hesitation, or konking out, on wide open throttle, like on the highway, or when accelerating. If this was bad, the exhaust could not get out and cause overheating. This is a way out there suggestion. If this were your situation, you need to replace the CAT. Muffler shop does that. I doubt that is it.
I suspect cooling system. Most likely the radiator. I had a truck that would be hot but fine...until you hooked up a trailer, or drove on the highway. The new radiator made this a new truck.
Hope this helps! Write back if you need to.
C J S
