overheating

[jab11185]

I have a 92 se coupe and it's overheating real bad...i chekced all the common things that would cause overheating, but i was wondering whether or not this could be realated to the AIV. I'm already having problems with that...could someone help me out here, i'm REALLY confused....:help

[Nismo_Freak]

AIV has no bearing on the cooling system, it's sole function is to allow intake air into the catalytic converter to increase the catalyst temperature faster on cold starts, which makes the cat function faster.

Does it constantly overheat or are you getting periodic overheating?

What does the coolant look like?

Did you by chance pour pure coolant into the system, or did you mix it with water?

[jab11185]

I haven't changed that anti-freeze since i got the car because it was full, the coolant is the green color...i hope that's good...the car just started over heating...i bought it with 166 k on it and changed the oil @ 167k it's now at 169k but maybe i need to change again,

would the kind of oil i use have any bearing on that?

[Nismo_Freak]

Nope

When does it overheat, does it happen everytime you drive the car?

Does it happen randomly?

Does the car run as good as when you bought it?

Have you checked the coolant level?

[jab11185]

It just started, 4 days ago and i have to be very careful how i drive it or it will overheat, for example if i keep it above 3 for a while (crazy driving) it jumps to the H...and yes it does happen everytime i drive the car now, if i'm not careful

No not randomly

Ya, the car runs just as good as when i bought itthe coolant level is, off the chart when it's hot and at the MAX line when it's cool

[Nismo_Freak]

Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open

Are you getting overflow spewing out of your resevoir?

[jab11185]

ya i'm getting a lot spewing out of the resevior

[Nismo_Freak]

Ok, then you *might* be able to get away with just a radiator cap if your lucky.

If the cap fails it won't be able to pressurize the system enough and it will open allowing coolant overflow into the resevoir.

Replace it since it's cheap... it's a long shot that it will fix the problem however it's worth a try.

Also, when your replacing your coolant as it spews out, if your not in a cold winter state then replace the coolant w/ a 70/30 (Water/Coolant) mixture and make sure you put in the same color coolant (don't mix orange or green coolant).

If it continues to overheat look first to the thermostat.

[jab11185]

cold winter state! lol...massachusetts baby...cold as hell (oxymoron as it is) all winter

[dak2007]

my car did that cuz of my thermostat sounds like that's what's wrong. if it's not that then it might be the water pump mine did that too.

[Nismo_Freak]

Check the radiator cap first... then go for the thermostat.

Run your heater full blast w/ the a/c OFF when you start to overheat.