Revvingchevy
New member
- Joined
- May 19, 2024
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Hi everyone. I'm new here. Been driving an '08 Equinox 3.4LT for about 8 years and it's been a great value for the money. I topped up the coolant 2 days ago before going on a 90 mile trip. After driving over 30 miles at highway speed. I saw the gauge rising and pulled right over. Once cooled down, I checked for leaks, nothing. Oil and reservoir look OK. So I drove it home slowly, stopping two more times to cool, when the gauge rose again.
No white smoke is blowing out the back and no leaks are apparent. The engine sounds normal with normal power, starts fine (plugs were recently replaced).
Note - on one of the return trip stops, it sounded like a small animal was poking around under the firewall. So I figured maybe there's an air pocket, probably I should have let it idle a bit with the cap off, after I topped up the coolant? Just a bit of bumping and gurgling sounds.
Note - My heater core is working but will eventually need replaced (minor smell sometimes when using heat but no film on my inside windows)
I took a different vehicle on my trip a couple of days ago, then today I went out to look it over again. Checked the oil. Oil looks normal, oil level is ok. No chocolate milkshake oil. Oil cap looks ok, not covered in goop or sludge. I took the coolant cap off then started the engine, hoping to help release any air pockets. Went inside the cabin and revved it and let it idle for 5 minutes. Coolant temp showed normal. Placed the cap back on and went back into the cabin for another 15-20 minutes. After about 15 more minutes it started to rise but not overheating. If I revved the motor, the coolant temp gauge would begin to go down. I did this a couple of times and it did not rise to overheat, as long as I revved it a little. So I didn't get the Overheat /AC Off message today. Took a look at the coolant reservoir and it is clear, not dark or cloudy. I think the gurgling noises have decreased since I idled it with the reservoir cap off. I have a basic diagnostic tool that I plugged in. I got no error codes relating to the coolant system, only one misfire detected.
The only time the temperature has risen previously is if I am in a busy drive thru line in July, and the line is moving too slowly. In that case I'd shut it off until I need to move ahead. As long as moving, no overheating.
I don't think i have a blown gasket but could it be still? Or is a more likely culprit the coolant temp sensor and/or thermostat?. A couple of years ago I had an issue with not getting enough heat. They said they flushed it out and a lot of sediment or something (scale?) Can't remember the exact word, came out. But since then it has run fine and the heater works great. I'll get my mechanic to take a look, just thought I'd ask online too. I've really enjoyed driving this thing especially during winter. Great for hauling stuff plenty of power to suit me, handles nicely in snow. I even stuffed a large snowblower into it (after unbolting the handle) which amazed the store I bought it from. Thanks in advance for any opinions!
No white smoke is blowing out the back and no leaks are apparent. The engine sounds normal with normal power, starts fine (plugs were recently replaced).
Note - on one of the return trip stops, it sounded like a small animal was poking around under the firewall. So I figured maybe there's an air pocket, probably I should have let it idle a bit with the cap off, after I topped up the coolant? Just a bit of bumping and gurgling sounds.
Note - My heater core is working but will eventually need replaced (minor smell sometimes when using heat but no film on my inside windows)
I took a different vehicle on my trip a couple of days ago, then today I went out to look it over again. Checked the oil. Oil looks normal, oil level is ok. No chocolate milkshake oil. Oil cap looks ok, not covered in goop or sludge. I took the coolant cap off then started the engine, hoping to help release any air pockets. Went inside the cabin and revved it and let it idle for 5 minutes. Coolant temp showed normal. Placed the cap back on and went back into the cabin for another 15-20 minutes. After about 15 more minutes it started to rise but not overheating. If I revved the motor, the coolant temp gauge would begin to go down. I did this a couple of times and it did not rise to overheat, as long as I revved it a little. So I didn't get the Overheat /AC Off message today. Took a look at the coolant reservoir and it is clear, not dark or cloudy. I think the gurgling noises have decreased since I idled it with the reservoir cap off. I have a basic diagnostic tool that I plugged in. I got no error codes relating to the coolant system, only one misfire detected.
The only time the temperature has risen previously is if I am in a busy drive thru line in July, and the line is moving too slowly. In that case I'd shut it off until I need to move ahead. As long as moving, no overheating.
I don't think i have a blown gasket but could it be still? Or is a more likely culprit the coolant temp sensor and/or thermostat?. A couple of years ago I had an issue with not getting enough heat. They said they flushed it out and a lot of sediment or something (scale?) Can't remember the exact word, came out. But since then it has run fine and the heater works great. I'll get my mechanic to take a look, just thought I'd ask online too. I've really enjoyed driving this thing especially during winter. Great for hauling stuff plenty of power to suit me, handles nicely in snow. I even stuffed a large snowblower into it (after unbolting the handle) which amazed the store I bought it from. Thanks in advance for any opinions!
