Questioni have an 89 grand voyager 3.0liter v6 moter. resently i lost the timing belt and water pump. so i replced them but it started over heating after i replaced them. so then i chaged the threostate and put in a new head gasket in it. got all the air out and it still is over heating . i even took the thermostate out. and it is still over heating .i haved it tested to see if the head or block was bad but wasnt . im out of ideas what else can cause it to over heat . help please !!!!
AnswerDawn,
There's really only a few main causes for an overheating engine.
- Insufficient amount of coolant mixture
- Too high of an anti-freeze to water ratio (less than 30% water)
- Lack of coolant flow (weak or dead water pump, or blockage in the coolant system; radiator)
- Leak in the radiator
- Radiator fan is not kicking on
- Thermostat that is stuck closed
- Lack of engine oil, causing engine to get so hot the coolant boils out
You can check off the list what you can be sure of is NOT the problem. You mentioned you replaced your water pump and the belt that drives it, so I'll assume that is functioning. you mentioned you completely removed your thermostat, so I'll assume that's not the cause either.
Aside from those two items, check all the other items I mentioned in the list. Odds are, one or more of those items is the culprit. And don't make any assumptions. Have the water pump and it's belt double checked again.
Good luck!