mamajumps 0 #1 June 16, 2008 Does anyone here have any advice on what else could be causing a 2000 mazda protege to be overheating? The radiator, water pump, & thermostat have all been replaced (in the past two weeks). When it runs hot, the water in the overflow is boiling, but stops when the radiator cap is cracked... Any ideas would be appreciated.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #2 June 16, 2008 Ask the cha cha. Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #3 June 16, 2008 Maybe a blockage in the coolant passages in the engine itself. Replacing all that stuff won't help if the coolant can't circulate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jkm2500 0 #4 June 16, 2008 So many questions, so little time... Is there any oil in the water? Water in the oil? Have you ever used any of that flaked aluminum leak stopper in the radiator before? When it starts to overheat, if you turn on the heater does the temp drop right back down to normal range or continue to overheat? Did you mix the coolant that was put into the radiator or was it premixed? When you replaced the thermostat was it the temp as the one that was removed?The primary purpose of the Armed Forces is to prepare for and to prevail in combat should the need arise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #5 June 16, 2008 Have you tried the magic paperclip test to see if the fan is working? Find the temperature sensor and bridge across the connection with a paperclip and the fan should come on. Easy way to test if the fan is working. If not then, as others have said, it sounds like it could be blocked somewhere, although how I don't know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mamajumps 0 #6 June 16, 2008 QuoteSo many questions, so little time... Is there any oil in the water? Water in the oil? Have you ever used any of that flaked aluminum leak stopper in the radiator before? When it starts to overheat, if you turn on the heater does the temp drop right back down to normal range or continue to overheat? Did you mix the coolant that was put into the radiator or was it premixed? When you replaced the thermostat was it the temp as the one that was removed? I dont know about the oil/water thing (this is actually my boyfriend's car, he just doesnt post much due to being out of town, so Im asking for him) The radiator has not had any sealant put into since he has had it, however it is a rebuilt one from a "barely used" type of place. Another friend (who is a mechanic) is also stumped, they ruled out a cracked head because there is no white smoke from the exhaust. Can you please elaborate on the thermostat thing more? I will also ask him about the coolant.. I just am trying to help, because he is very aggrevated and just dropped a nice bit of change getting the water pump replaced only for it to over heat again. I do know that before the water pump was replaced, running the heater, would help some but did not totally alleviate the problem. Thanks a million! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #7 June 16, 2008 I wonder if someone has put the coolant hoses on in some weird order so its not flowing around the head and block as it should do. I've seen that before, although more with competition engines with all non-genuine Samco type hosing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #8 June 16, 2008 If you have driven your car well it is hot for or running hot you may have a cracked the block. Have someone check that out for you. I am not a car guru or anything but for a girl know a little bit about them....lolTPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #9 June 16, 2008 QuoteDoes anyone here have any advice on what else could be causing a 2000 mazda protege to be overheating? The radiator, water pump, & thermostat have all been replaced (in the past two weeks). When it runs hot, the water in the overflow is boiling, but stops when the radiator cap is cracked... Any ideas would be appreciated.... Try seeing if the fan motor is running - I am assuming that it is an electric radiator fan?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #10 June 16, 2008 Have a mechanic check the coolant for exhaust gases. There is a chemical they use for this. I wouldn't rule out a head gasket or even a small crack in the block, just because they don't see "white smoke".---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #11 June 16, 2008 Quotethe water in the overflow is boiling, but stops when the radiator cap is cracked That gas is coming from somewhere, that somewhere is probably your head gasket. Do like diablo said and get the coolant tested, or a leakdown test will also show the problem. When head gaskets fail, they can do so in all manors, they have oil, coolant, and combustion chamber gases in them, and they all can get traded one way or the other. So nothing coming out the exhaust means nothing. (and is usually not what happens) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 622 #12 June 16, 2008 You just reminded me of the last head gasket blown on my old Chevy pick-up. I could tell it was running hot...so when I get it home and started to add water...it just kept taking it and taking it....no leaks under the engine....where the hell is all this water going???? The exhaust pipe was the other end of the pump... Engine was running no problem...just pumping water all the way through! damnit...that motor rebuild cost me my trip to Sturgis that year... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pontiacgtp00 0 #13 June 16, 2008 Also, overheating can ruin a good thermostat. As far as the fan goes, that will usually only cause overheating if the engine is idling for awhile. If driving at cruising speeds and not working the engine too hard, and the engine still overheats then most likely it is not the fan. Have you changed the radiator cap? When coolant is under pressure the boiling temperature is increased. If the cap is letting pressure out, the boiling temperature will lower. That could potentially cause a boilover. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #14 June 16, 2008 if the work was done properly that would leave a clogged radiator or bad head gasket or cooling fan not working. just because there is no smoke doesn't mean the head gasket is ok, white smoke is only one sympton and is the last one to show. the radiator since it was used is probably what i would look at first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidB 0 #15 June 16, 2008 Does it overheat while sitting & idling, or while it's going down the road? I had a truck once that would run really hot on the road, but as soon as you'd stop & idle the temp would fall to normal. Turned out the lower radiator hose was being sucked shut by the water pump. A pressure test of the cooling system & radiator cap would be helpful in determining the cause.When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #16 June 17, 2008 Its a 4 cylinder, right? A new head gasket shouldn't run you more than 600-800, most likely less. How many miles does it have? It might be time to replace the timing belt while you are in there, if it has a ton of miles then possibly a valve job as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #17 June 17, 2008 So I take it that Denis isn't mechanically-inclined? _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mamajumps 0 #18 June 17, 2008 no he did all of the work except for the water pump and he didnt do that b/c on this model of car the water pump is in the engine (timing belt has to be removed)... plus he is on the road A LOT.... doesnt have time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites