2008 LS Overheating - Diagnosis help?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-13-2010
Posts: 138
From: Memphis, TN
2008 LS Overheating - Diagnosis help?
Hey all, I'm back again.
So as the title states, my 08 is overheating. Driving back from grocery shopping yesterday and the warning light came on, temp gauge was in the red. I immediately cranked the heat like my older brother told me to do until I found a safe place to pull over. I let it cool down and then drove the couple of miles home, with the heater blasting and it got back to 245 degrees.
After cooling down, I added some Dexcool 50/50 to the overflow tank. Started it again and a drive down the county road got it back up to 250, so that wasn't the (only) issue.
The fan is working. (check)
There is no sign of water/coolant on the dip stick (yay!).
I can't find my code reader so I need to get the bluetooth dongle off my wife's car when she gets home and see what code the light might have logged.
I searched the forum and found this thread and tried the "follow the flow" technique - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...e3/#post733927
The upper hose is hot. The lower hose to the thermostat is cold and so is the radiator.
So, what does this mean? Clogged radiator? Busted thermostat?
Thanks.
So as the title states, my 08 is overheating. Driving back from grocery shopping yesterday and the warning light came on, temp gauge was in the red. I immediately cranked the heat like my older brother told me to do until I found a safe place to pull over. I let it cool down and then drove the couple of miles home, with the heater blasting and it got back to 245 degrees.
After cooling down, I added some Dexcool 50/50 to the overflow tank. Started it again and a drive down the county road got it back up to 250, so that wasn't the (only) issue.
The fan is working. (check)
There is no sign of water/coolant on the dip stick (yay!).
I can't find my code reader so I need to get the bluetooth dongle off my wife's car when she gets home and see what code the light might have logged.
I searched the forum and found this thread and tried the "follow the flow" technique - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...e3/#post733927
The upper hose is hot. The lower hose to the thermostat is cold and so is the radiator.
So, what does this mean? Clogged radiator? Busted thermostat?
Thanks.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,543
From: Fredericksburg,VA
After it cools down look under the pressure cap, coolant should bee up to the filler.
Does the heater work?
Doubtfully a bad t-stat. They usually fail open. If you replace it use ONLY ACDelco part number 131-158 not "replaces, fits,, like etc"
Could be obstructed heater core or radiator or a bad pump.
Does the heater work?
Doubtfully a bad t-stat. They usually fail open. If you replace it use ONLY ACDelco part number 131-158 not "replaces, fits,, like etc"
Could be obstructed heater core or radiator or a bad pump.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-13-2010
Posts: 138
From: Memphis, TN
After it cools down look under the pressure cap, coolant should bee up to the filler.
Does the heater work?
Doubtfully a bad t-stat. They usually fail open. If you replace it use ONLY ACDelco part number 131-158 not "replaces, fits,, like etc"
Could be obstructed heater core or radiator or a bad pump.
Does the heater work?
Doubtfully a bad t-stat. They usually fail open. If you replace it use ONLY ACDelco part number 131-158 not "replaces, fits,, like etc"
Could be obstructed heater core or radiator or a bad pump.
Yes, the heater blows hot air.
Thanks.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,543
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Go get 2 gallons of 50/50 DexCool any brand you like.
No matter what you read the level on the overflow tank is not reliable, and filling there does not help if the pressure cap isn't working right.
No matter what you read the level on the overflow tank is not reliable, and filling there does not help if the pressure cap isn't working right.
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,097
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-13-2010
Posts: 138
From: Memphis, TN
Thanks guys. I added about half a gallon until I could see it at the fill opening. Test drove it and it stayed between 190-205. Then it was getting dark. I will check it tomorrow, look for leaks, feel the hoses, add more, burp it, repeat, etc.
