Running hot
Asked by Nole12 Sep 20, 2015 at 08:41 PM about the 2003 Buick LeSabre Limited Sedan FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Driving to work car started running
hot so stopped and the reservoir was
overflowing. Ended up driving to
work and pulling over when the car
would start running hot again. On the
way home the same day I filled the
radiator with water. While driving I
ran the heater all the way home and
it was blowing hot air and didn't run
hot. Drove it back to work the next
morning same thing happened,
didn't run hot. Then on the way back
home it ran hot again. I parked the
car for the night went back next day
after work and took the thermostat
out thinking it was sticking. After
removing it on the way home it ran
hot again as I got home. Next thing I
did was take the heater hoses off
and run water thru both until water
was clear. Then took off the upper
radiator hose and flushed from there
back thru the engine until the water
was clear. Put everything back
together filled the radiator with water
and cranked the car. Ran it in idle for
10 minutes then drove it for another
20 minutes. Car didn't run hot and
heater blew hot air. Then the next
morning it ran hot again so I bought
radiator flush and put it in. While I
was running it thru the system it
started to run hot again and the air
never got hot then there was slight
smoke coming from the engine. I'm
going to put the thermostat back in
and drain the flush out and put water
back in. When I run it if it runs hot
again I am all out of ideas. Help
please.
12 Answers
chech the temp switch that sends water temp to the computer( not the one that sends water temp to the dash)
Check the radiator cap to make sure it's seating tight on the radiator if the cap won't hold pressure it will do what you said ... When you fill the cooling system be sure to open the 2 small air bleed screws on the engine ... That engine is brutal to fill and gets air-bound if you don't open those 2 little screws (about 6mm)
Thank you I will check these tomorrow evening.
Yes there was water vapor on the tailpipe last night. I'll check those gaskets. 130,000 miles and gaskets haven't been changed
UPDATE: last night I pulled the thermostat housing off filled the engine with coolant as well as the radiator and reservoir. Replaced thermostat and ran the car up to running temp. The radiator hose sounded like a pump so I opened the bleed valve on thermostat housing until steady stream of coolant was coming and closed it back. Continued to let it run for another half hour before taking it for a ride. Heater was working great and it didn't run hot. Just drove it to work this morning and it ran nicely. Thank you for the help.
Oh and I did pay close attention to the tailpipe yesterday and there wasn't any water vapor nor was there any goop nor was the oil milky.
Great ,,, The only compensation we receive is your satisfaction,, Thank You
What is bad in temp on 03 .mine is running around 200 degrees
200 degrees is good. No worries.
suejohnlee answered 7 years ago
Thank you for all your help but where are the air bleed screws on the engine
I have 03 n replace thermostat sensor n radiator n its running around 216 n gets hotter even not sure what's up
What is the hot temp for a 2005 2005 Buick LeSabre
