QuestionI have a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville 6 cyl. that needs help...
What is the normal running temperature supposed to be? I ask because my gauge goes up tp the 1/2 way point, the thermostat will open & the needle goes down to the 1/4 mark. Once it goes back up to the 1/2 way point again, the car will stall. It will restart after it cools down. I have had the thermostat, the fuel pump & the fuel filter replaced already. There is also a wierd smell that comes from around the fuel filter area...almost like a chemical type smell. Any ideas on what might be happening?
Thanks for your help, in advance.
Linda
P.S. I live in Las Vegas, so the heat here doesn`t help, but during the day, I can usually only make it 10 miles before it shuts off. I`m really tired of being stuck in the middle of the road 2-3 times a day!! HELP!!
AnswerWell NOT (normal operating temp.) depends on the engine.
My S-10 normally runs around 200-210, my Fiero runs mostly around 200, and the Yukon will run around 210-220.
As you can see the bigger the vehicle and engine the higher the temp.
I'd say the Boneville should be running in the range of 200-220. If the system works correctly,no matter how hot it is it should not rise too much above 220. Although I know how bad dry heat can be for cars. In the humid south texas coast my Fiero will run around 200 and in San Antonio in the drier heat it will alway run right at 240 no matter what. Unbelievable.
Anyway, I don't know what the halfway mark on the temp guage would be on the bonneville but my guess is 220 or 210.
That is ok.
Another thing, don't always trust the guage. The guages can go bad, or if you have an air bubble in the system near the sensor it can cause you to think the car is running hot when it is really just fine or vice versa.
About the chemical smell, I'd probably have to smell it although, as long as it doesn't smell like coolant it should not be related to your problem, but should still be checked out.
Normally you should just see the temperature rise and pretty much remain where it is. The thermostat opening should not be noticable at all. So if you can see your temp. suddenly going down that might be a problem.
Have you ever tried running the car without a thermostat? That would greatly increase coolant flow, but also greatly increase warm up time. The only downside is that it will take longer for car to warm up the the temperature at which the computer will take into account sensor readings. Under a certain coolant temp. the computer ignores most sensors and injects a predetermined higher amount of fuel. Running rich, until it warms to NOT. If you notice it takes FOREVER for you temp. to get normal you might be wasting a lot of gas since the computer will not got into its normal mode.
If you haven't replaced your coolant within the last two years I would, and have your hoses replaced if older than two years too. Just because there is coolant in the overflow resovior does not mean the system is full of coolant. Like I said there could be an air pocket, which happens to me A LOT when filling the coolant on my Fiero since the Radiator is in the Front and the engine in the back.
Also, if the car is stalling that is definitely a VERY bad sign. If it is stalling due to overheating, that could be damaging the engine severely. Does the overheating light ever turn on. Does it turn on when you turn the key to the ignition position. If it does not your bulb might be blown.
Sorry I can't offer any definite answers but this is the best I can do without seeing the car. I just mentioned some things that I have experienced and what happens. Hopefully something I said helps your situation.
Good luck.
