QuestionIn a question and answer to and from Kieth Robertson (he is an expert like you whom I can't find a listing for) an article at the following web address: [Please visit] http://experts.about.com/q/775/2761931.htm
Erika ask about 3-stem valves being the source of what she describes as my problem.
My car is a 98 Chevy Lumina - 3.1L
I have replaced thermostats twice - Temp sensor once, radiator cap once, water pump once, drained and refilled with dexcool each occurance, only to find that additional fluids are needed when overheating returns, this is after 3-7 days of the car running normally and then 'violla' problems back again.
This is leading me to think "okay, bleed more air out of those stinkin bleeder valves" - left needle head broke off, so now I have to unthread the nut that houses that needle valve, carefully though - because once it popped off while engine was running at gizer strength.
I was starting to suspect the heater core, but ran across the question from Erika.
Can you better describe what these 3-stem valves are, does my Lumina have them?
Could this be my problem?
I Just paid a so called mechanic $60.00 - he put pressure on the system and told me the thermostat housing wasn't sealing properly, I can somewhat believe this - its the most difficult thing to change I have ever seen - why Chevy can't make it more accessable is beyond me, with an open end wrench, several other parts removed to get my hand and arm in a position to loosen and tighten that lower housing bolt, it is possible I didnt get it as tight as it should be, I am sure there are torque specs on that nut - but equally sure I cant get a torque wrench in there to check it!
Anyway, back to the so-called mechanic, I picked it up earlier today from him and its (you guessed it) overheating again! - Please help,
I cant go Deer Hunting till I get my wifes car fixed and back on the road.
Regards,
John
AnswerHI John, First go out and kill a Deer. I shot a nice 8 point this year and it had a arrow stuck in the top of the shoulder. That guy must be pissed he didn't get that buck!!
Stem Valves???? Not sure what they are taking about but your car doesn't have them. To locate your problem lets start by running the engine from a cold start and coolant to the top of the radiator. With the radiator cap off and engine running watch for little air bubbles to come up and out of the radiator. If you see these bubbles it means that your cylinder head gaskets are bad or the heads might be cracked. I haven't seen a cracked head in a LONG time, just the gaskets bad. When the headgasket goes bad it will let AIR into the cooling system and cause a air lock(no coolant circulation).
These engines are very good but when they get very hot the headgaskets do go bad.
Let me know what you find out.
Have a Great Holiday
Mark
