I just got my car back together a few days ago from a wreck, and it is overheating. I can drive it normally for a few miles and it will stay at a normal temp range (in the middle), but then I floor it and get to around 6k rpms, and it starts to overheat. When I pull it in the garage and pop the hood, the upper radiator hose is hot and the lower is cold. I changed the thermostat and that doesnt fix a thing.......any ideas?

 

Is there any chance the water pump was damaged in the wreck? If the cooling system was drained during the repair, it's probably just an air pocket in the system. Bring it back to whomever performed the service.

 

Well, Im really hoping the water pump isnt the culprit, but Im not ruling it out. The engine was not touched during the wreck though. How might I check for an air pocket? I fixed everything myself, so I have no one to take it back to


It would be nice for the car to still be under warranty, but I dont know how they feel about wrecked vehicles (although it has a good title)

 

An air pocket would only be possible if the engine coolant was drained and refilled improperly. If the engine wasn't touched than that's unlikely and it's also unlikely that a powertrain warranty claim would be denied.

Oh, and you can also check to make sure the cooling fans are operating. When the car get's hot, pop the hood and check to make sure your fans are operating. They should also come on when the A/C is turned on.

 

sounds like you need to bleed the coolant.

 

Well, the engine wasnt touched, but a new radiator was installed. I didnt realize a particular filling procedure was necessary, so it very well could be an air pocket......Im going to try the bleeding and see what happens. Thanks guys

 

Make sure you bleed from the air relief plug at the high point. See attached from FSM.

 

Troubleshooting section from same manual:

 

that is just what I needed. Thanks for the help!!!