Ok, so last night I went outside and started my car. Cut my heat on to defrost and let it warm up.. the usual. It was freezing last night and I was in a rush so I only let it run about 5-7 minutes. Well, as soon as I took off driving.. I knew something was wrong. My heat still hadn't kicked in... Strange. Then my temp gauge started to rise quickly. After only a few minutes it was in the red. I pulled over almost immediately and shut my car off. I sat there and froze to death for at least 10 minutes before attempting to drive back home. I made it home okay.. my children's father checked my fluids.. Plenty of antifreeze.. no apparent leaks.. he seems to think it might be my thermostat. Any other advice? I know nothing about cars. I bought this car in March 15 and have had not a single issue with it.... Until now. Please help. I thought about driving it to Auto Zone to have it checked as far as codes and stuff.. but I'm afraid to drive it for fear of making the issue worse.

 

Elizabethtown PA where the temps overnight have been well below freezing?

It sounds to me like it froze up, preventing the coolant from flowing. Have you had the coolant changed since you bought it?

What is the status of the antifreeze - ie: are you sure it has enough antifreeze in with the water to provide protection from freezing? It is supposed to be a 50/50 mix - and an antifreeze tester from most any auto parts store is a cheap investment.

The thermostat doesn't typically lock closed - most of the time they lock open preventing the car from warming up quick enough. But of course there is a chance the thermostat is the cause.

Driving it when it overheats can be the cause of death to the engine - these engines (like most) do not take kindly to being overheated.

 

Welcome to the site.

I agree it's time to check the antifreeze freeze point. If you need to change the antifreeze I would change the thermostat as well.

 

Welcome to the site!
I concur , seeing as you bought it this last March and it is 10 years old, we can generously calculate the previous owner or owners changed the Dexcool every 5 years as directed in the owners manual. However , it is more likely they just drove it! So based on the lack of maintenance records , it would be to your advantage to , drain the rad and block of whatever coolant is in there now, change the thermostat with an AC Delco thermostat and refill Dexcool, please read this thread for a how to!


https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...l-p0128-24493/

 

X2 on Oldblue's post. After I had my coolant flushed, my thermostat kicked the bucket and I used the how to he posted to and did it myself. Run to your local auto parts store, get yourself an oil drain pan, and get the car in the air so you can get to the radiator pet**** to drain (when the car is cold of course).

Rock auto is showing the ACDelco/GM part number is 131158 for both the 2.2 and 2.4 for $31.79 + shipping. I got mine from NAPA for around $40

 

Thanks so much for all your advice. I just had an oil change and all my fluids checked a few weeks ago so I was sure my antifreeze wasn't bad as it had been flushed and replaced. I have done my best to keep the car up to date on routine checks and things of that nature since I purchased it. Seeing as I'm pregnant I don't expect to get underneath the hood or the car anytime soon lol but I did take it to be looked at. I was told my thermometer is sticking. Easy fix that I'm not being charged an arm and a leg for. So I sincerely hope he is right and my troubles end here. Have a nice day!

 

thermometer? Do you mean thermostat?

Hope that resolves the problem - we gotta hate vehicle problems. :)

 

Yes I meant thermostat. Phone must've auto corrected and I didn't realize it.

 

Make sure your mechanic installs an AC Delco thermostat! And congrats on your pregnancy, that is awesome!!

 

I sure will, and thank you! :)