Odd Cooling Problem

[TachyonS14]

Ok, about 2 months ago my car started overheating one day, and I changed the thermostat and everything was ok. I made sure to bleed the system of any air bubbles, and It's been running fine ever since. But, I was sitting In a drive through line getting food the other day and I noticed my heat gauge rising. So, I shut the car off right there, and I heard a glugging sound like all the coolant was being held back by the thermostat was now being released. I waited a couple seconds, then turned my car back on and everything was fine. My car was back to It's normal temp. And now today, while sitting In a drive through line again (hey, It's fast ok? ) My heat gauge started rising again! I shut the car off, heard the glugging, turned it back on... everything is just fine!

So, I've only noticed my car start to do this when It has been idleing for more than 5 mins. What do you guys thing is wrong with my car? Would air bubbles do this? bad fan clutch? water pump? Any help would :ylsuper thanks.

[yellow_jacket]

If it only does it while at idle for extended periods of time that is usually indicative of a failing fan clutch. Swap it out or go electric.

[A_Rivers]

I don't really think that a fan problem would cause your car to over heat (sorry to disagree yellow_jacket). Sounds to me like your cooling system is not retaining presure and it's causing your coolant to boil, I would look at the seal of your radiator cap and replace it if you think that it might not be holding pressure. Also check for coolant leaks from the bottom of your timing chain cover, if it's dripping thats a sign that your water pump bearing has failed and you'll need to replace it. It could also be just a faulty thermostat. I had a problem with my Maxima overheating, I would change something and it would be fine for a few days and then start to overheat again. Let's see, I replaced the cap, hoses, then the radiator, I finally broke down and tried to replace the water pump but ended up screwing up the timing, bent a valve and had to replace the engine.

[PalmerWMD]

I have found "guggling" often indicative of air pockets in cooling system.

Guggling that can be heard inside car nearly always comes from partially filled heater core.

I would suggest parking the car on asteep incline let it fully cool down and then refill as needed.

Fred...

[TachyonS14]

Awsome respones you guys, thanks! I will give all of them a try. You see, this Is why I love NICO.

[CanadianCoch]

SEARCH Overheating, i've made a overheating walkthrough that would completly help you out with everything it could be. Wrote it up after the exact same problem.

Dr.

[hudy]

Don't forget to have 50-50 coolant mixture. I know it sounds stupid but it can be a real problem.

[yellow_jacket]

The gurgling he is hearing is more than likely the coolant boiling over into the over flow tank. I know what you are talking about though Fred.

As far as the fan not causing the car to overheat, well just work on a few more cars and you will find that if you are not moving for extended periods of time and your car overheats it is almost always indicative of a fan problem. A faulty thermostat will produce overheating under load, which he did not experience. Air in the system also will show up under load. Low coolant, usually shows up under load.

As for the original problem, check the fan.

[0range_240]

I had a very similar problem to this in my car about 6 months ago.. car would just all of a sudden begin overheating, very quickly too I might add, within a matter of a minute or two.. I tried bleeding the system of air, and even did what fred suggested parking the car on an incline, and spent a good half hour letting all the air escape... then after I was satisfied, I topped up my radiator fluid and went on my merry way, only to have it happen a few days later... turns out that the seal on the bearing in my water pump was shot and I was leaking fluid down the front of my block at a pretty decent pace... picked up a new pump for 20 bucks from a local import junkyard, threw it on and voila, never had a problem since.

[TachyonS14]

Well, I fixed the problem. It was air in my system believe it or not, and a lot of it too i might add. Thanks for all your help everyone.