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2001 Pontiac Aztek Overheating. Replaced TEMP Sensor, Thermostat, Radiator, Water Pump, Fans are straight wired, no water in oil and no water coming from exaust. The system is building up pressure and causing the coolant to overflow from the reserve tank.
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Are the cooling fans working ? What are you going by to say it's overheating ? Temp .gauge . hear coolant surging in the engine , Did you replace the radiator cap. Have had a lot of customers come in saying the vehicle is overheating , it wasn't ! just bad temp gauge .
Could be thermostat is not opining or water pump is failing. I would start by replacing thermostat if that doesn't help then Replace the heat sensor that tells u temp and when fans should kick on. If Ur still having problems I would replace the water pump. But I highly doubt that it's the water pump. It's either thermostat or sensor.
Check the operation of the cooling fans at the radiator. While idling disconnect the coolant temp sensor at the top left (drivers side) of the engine. It will be a 2 wire connector near the thermostat housing. When disconnected the coolant fans should come on immediately, if not you have an electrical issue with the relays or blown fuse. Check the fuses first in the underhood electrical panel. Next swap the cooling fan relay with an identical one next to it, if the fan works the relay is open.
I would first check the cooling fans. To do this unplug the fans and use two jumper wires to hook them direct to the battery and test. If the fans are working I would have the radiator cleaned or purchase a new one. To clean the radiator take it to a professional and tell them you would like it rodded out. You can purchase a new one for about twice the price. I wouldn't worry about the low coolent sensor. By it being on it will not send a message that your vehicle is overheating. If you have changed everything that you say you have and the fans work and radiator is cleaned you may have a blown head gasket. If you have a blown head gasket you would see steam comming out of the tail pipes or water in the oil on dip-stick. Good luck.
If the water pump and thermostat have been replaced and the system has been properly refilled and bled , the only thing left is the radiator. If coolant is not flowing through it properly , vehicle will run hot. If your car has overheated to the point of boiling over , your new thermostat may now be damaged again.. As for the fans , they only come on when the coolant reaches a certain temprature. Under normal driving conditions , they would not need to come on while the vehicle is moving , as the air flow from driving down the road would be enough to cool the engine.
I think you started out looking in the right places. Replacing the coolant, thermostat, relay and sensor are all fairly inexpensive.
I believe you either have blockage in the system (especially if you're using tapwater), or your water pump may be failing.
I would first either take it to a radiator shop and have them flush the cooling system out thoroughly, or else pick up a chemical flush kit and do it yourself. This involves more than just drain and refill.
If this doesn't work, your next step will probably be replacing the water pump. At almost 200k miles, it's probably about due anyway.
remove coolant.remove thermostat remove bottom radiator hose to water pump.put a empty container under the radiator.take a water hose put it where thermostat goes flush out the rust in block.watch the water as it come out the water pump .if stream water is small keep flushing until you get a study sream of clear water. also flush out radiator. lower water pressure dont flush radiator it with high water pressure you could burst it. make clean the over flow jug .make sure it not stopped up.put in a new thermostat and radiator pressure cap. fill radiator with half antifreeze and half water.bleed the coolant system.
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