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Buick Rendezvous Overheating

2

Comments

  • spike99spike99 Member Posts: 239
    Removing / cutting factory RUBBER from under hood area is very dangerious mod. Without this rubber, water and snow / ice is allowed to slide down the foront windshield and fall directly onto the hot engine. Hot engine being spashed with cold water is a very bad thing. Adn, it allows water into the engine cavity area as well.

    If "more cooling" is desired, recommend putting the factory rubber back. Just like I'd recommend putting door rubbers back as well. Rubbers are there for a reason. For increased air flow, its much safer to install a hood scoop on the hood. Turn it backwards - so its vent is facing the windshield. Using this mod, air flows into the front of the rad and out the hood scoop. Hood scoops allow NO water / snow / ice flows into the hood area as well. Thus, much safter on the engine. And, the many wires on the engine are NOT exposed to water either.

    Good for you for removing the factory hood rubbers. If you want SAFE cooling without risking damage to engine or engine wires, re-install the hood's rubbers and install an hood scoop (made for air flow) instead.

    For others thinking of removing the factory rubbers, do NOT do it. Simply lift the front hood, notice where this hood rubber is located and understand what it protects. Its there for a reason. Just like a hood rubber exists on many other vehicles as well... Adn, why door rubbers exist around doors as well.

    .
  • jamieb22jamieb22 Member Posts: 2
    Don't bother contacting GM. My wife sent customer service and email outlining the overheating problem. They gave a lot of lip service about not knowing about the problem and how they would track complaints and investigate. There was no recourse for Rendezvous owners because they know about the problem right before failing bankruptcy and left the customer holding the bag. Yet, my tax dollars bailed the company out and I have a car I can't drive when it is cold!!! I would suggest boycotting Buick and GM even though I have been a loyal customer for a long time. They are not aware of the American way! I will purchase a FORD!!!!!!
  • jamieb22jamieb22 Member Posts: 2
    This GM vehicle sucks! It has multiple design flaws and the American consumer is the guinea pig for the company! We have tried for two years to repair the overheating problem to no avail. If you think that contacting the dealership of the company you will get lots of lip service but no satisfaction in dealing with the overheating problem. WE are still waiting on the claim number that GM's customer service rep was going to email us! This why this company needed a bailout in the first place. They produce second rate vehicle. Remember, FORD didn't need a bailout and their cars that had recalls were fixed by the company. You do the math!!!!!

    A disgruntled Buick Rendezvous Owner!!!!!
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    jamieb22,
    I apologize for your frustration. Each case is handled on a case by case basis.
    Here is a link that shows we can assist:
    http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f23cfdb/4
    Who did you speak with? Did you set up a case with GM Customer Assistance? If so, what is your case number? I look forward to your response.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • nothappynenothappyne Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2011
    Funny, we are having the SAME issues. Nothing but problems since purchasing our Rendezvous (we purchased it used). The gas gauge hasn't worked (told the dealer about it & they wanted us to put money towards it a week after buying the vehicle). Both front wheel hubs have been replaced. Front struts - replaced (with a note from the mechanic that the bolt holding one of the struts wasn't even the correct one). The automatic level control is bad - goes off every 30 seconds. Took the fuse out so it stops the noise - so it's useless. The sunroof leaks. The engine coolant overheating light started going on recently - twice on me today alone - had to pull over. Tried contacting Buick about many issues and all they keep telling us is to go to a Buick dealership and have them run a diagnostic on it - which I have to pay for. I don't have the money for this - I keep having to put money into repairs on this POS. I filed a complaint with the Attorney General for the state - sent a copy to Buick and they call and again tell us to go pay for a diagnostic. But, if it's a Buick issue, they'll pay for it (which we all know it won't be b/c they say so). Said they'd follow up in two weeks - that was two & a half weeks ago. It's a joke. I have no money. They don't get it. I'm stuck with a POS vehicle that I don't want because something is always going wrong on it. Hugely disappointed - was hoping we had found a reliable vehicle for our family, but nope, got a lemon. Talk about frustrating.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Nothappyne,

    Could I please get an update from you on how things are progressing? I would like to see how I can be of assistance.

    Best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • zapikizapiki Member Posts: 1
    I'm interested. Any chance you're willing to share a picture? How's the car running today?
  • rendezvousownrendezvousown Member Posts: 1
    I also blew a head gasket @ under 70,000 miles. It ended up ruining the engine and I had to get a new engine. Fortunately for me I had an extended warranty; however I truly believe GM should be help accoutable. I got no warning for the head gasket. I was driving along a major highway and the car dinged I looked down and it was overheated and then smoked and wouldn't start after I left it cool down and tried to start it back up. Rendezvous are junk.
  • clm51clm51 Member Posts: 9
    My temp gauge was not working properly so took my 2005 Rendezvous to my mechanic since I was planning to be on a road trip to Fl. next week. Good news my engine was not running hot. Bad news is that the entire instrument cluster has to be replaced or rebuilt. Worse news is that there are not any available with no idea when one will be. Even an exhaustive internet search couldn't turn up one. So now I am faced with not only a big repair bill, but being without my car for up to 3 weeks! Anyone else had to deal with this?
  • tammilanitammilani Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2012
    Over the weekend, coming home from the beach, with dog in the back seat, the RED WARNING light blares at me "HOT TEMP" something and bing bings at me. I see the Temp Gauge is as hot as it can get. I immediately pull over. Towed to local dealer $, got a rental car $$, got a call from the dealer today $$$.

    This is the 3rd major repair in the 4.5 years of owning my 2002 RDV. I do love driving the car, but the repairs are killing me! 6 months into ownership, the BCM had to be replaced, $600.

    The day after Labor Day 2010 (15 months ago), it was making a funny sound on the freeway and i made it to the dealer for a $6000! repair. Yes, you read it right, $6-freakin' thousand dollars! They told me it was the transmission, $4,000. Then they had my car for 4 days.

    On that Friday, i went after work to pick up the car, and they walked me back to the service area when it was up on the lifts and nearly gutted, parts strewn everywhere. They then told me, bad news, it's the transfer case too, which is an additional $2000, but they are giving me a break on the price, since they only just found out and they felt bad for me because of the $4,000 i will already be spending with them. $6000 total now. They had my car for another week.

    They forgot to put fluid in the radiator before test driving and blew up the radiator. They had to replace that too. They didn't charge me for that, said it was their fault. 2 days later, my car was leaking fluid (water from radiator?) and i was scared to drive it, so it was towed back to the dealer. They said it was the water pump. I paid for that. I later heard from the men at my office that you should always replace the water pump when replacing the radiator. I guess when they replaced the radiator for free, they didn't want to be too generous.

    Now I'm facing the $2500 - $3500 bill on the overheating/gasket/valve incident. I am frustrated as there was no warning whatsoever. I had literally been driving the car for 5 mins before the lights and whistles came on.

    Even the dealer knows something is up, he is offering to split the cost of the rental car with me.

    GM Customer Service, any help?
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Please send us an email as soon as you can with the following information: name and Edmunds username, contact information (phone and address), the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your involved dealership.

    I apologize that there have been so many frustrations lately, and appreciate your continued willingness to work with us towards resolving these concerns.
    All the best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • buddo9buddo9 Member Posts: 18
    This is all getting to be pretty bad as no one listens!? All Rendezvous overheat!
    I bought a 2002 Rendezvous knowing full well that I could fix the overheating problem! I got a good deal on the SUV and bought it knowing it was an easy repair! The previous owner spent a bundle on new head-gaskets and still the overheating problem did not leave! I purchased it knowing full well what the problem "was" !
    I did an inspection on the cavity (engine compartment) The engine sits quite high in there and the heat of the engine has no escape from the compartment. It’s closed off and the engine sits in it’s own heat getting hotter and hotter destroying gaskets and all other heat related injuries !
    The inspection showed trails where the heat did escape around the upper rubber seal at two ends over the engine compartment.. Those very small openings were the only means of heat escape, but not nearly enough! The heat there was so intense it started bubbling and blistering the paint on the hood! That was all the information I needed to be confident in the purchase of this 2002 Buick Rendezvous!
    After the purchase I cut the rubber seal down away from the hood at least one inch by two feet from center…I was also careful to not remove all of it as it is a guard for rain water. The lower section of the rubber guard takes care of that. For a test to be sure I sprayed water over the windshield and not a drop spilled onto the engine…..
    Well it’s been two years and not one heating problem since…… I have photos on the work done if you like……
  • buddo9buddo9 Member Posts: 18
    Sound fine but back in the 60's it worked and I still have niot had a drop of water in the ebgine! When you cit the rubber sown there is still an inch for water to drain off .. More below...............................................................
    This is all getting to be pretty bad when no one listens!?
    All Buick Rendezvous overheat! It’s a badly designed system with no upper engine compartment ventilation! It’s one thing to save on mileage with a hot engine but another when it’s so hot it burns out all gaskets and seals everywhere! Counter productive to say to least! People are spending tons of money on repairs that are not necessary!
    I bought a 2002 Rendezvous knowing full well that I could fix the overheating problem! I got a good deal on the SUV and bought it knowing it was an easy repair! The previous owner spent a bundle on new head-gaskets and still the overheating problem did not leave! I purchased it knowing full well what the problem "was" !
    I did an inspection on the (engine compartment) The engine sits quite high in there and the heat of the engine has no escape from the compartment. It’s closed off and the engine sits in it’s own heat getting hotter and hotter destroying gaskets and all other heat related injuries ! The cooling fans direct the incoming air to the bottom and out below the problem!
    My inspection shows trails where the heat did escape around the upper rubber seal at two ends over the engine compartment.. Those very small openings were the only means of heat escape, but not nearly enough! The heat there was so intense it started bubbling and blistering the paint on the hood! That was all the information I needed to be confident in the purchase of this 2002 Buick Rendezvous!
    After the purchase I cut the rubber seal down away from the hood at least one inch by two feet from center…NOTE! I was also careful not to remove the guard area for rain water. The lower section of the rubber guard takes care of that. For a test to be sure I sprayed water over the windshield and not a drop spilled onto the engine…..
    Well it’s been two years and not one over-heating problem since…… I have photos on the work done if you like……
  • buddo9buddo9 Member Posts: 18
    This is all getting to be pretty bad when no one listens!?
    All Buick Rendezvous overheat! It’s a badly designed system with no upper engine compartment ventilation! It’s one thing to save on mileage with a hot engine but another when it’s so hot it burns out all gaskets and seals everywhere! Counter productive to say to least! People are spending tons of money on repairs that are not necessary!
    I bought a 2002 Rendezvous knowing full well that I could fix the overheating problem! I got a good deal on the SUV and bought it knowing it was an easy repair! The previous owner spent a bundle on new head-gaskets and still the overheating problem did not leave! I purchased it knowing full well what the problem "was" !
    I did an inspection on the (engine compartment) The engine sits quite high in there and the heat of the engine has no escape from the compartment. It’s closed off and the engine sits in it’s own heat getting hotter and hotter destroying gaskets and all other heat related injuries ! The cooling fans direct the incoming air to the bottom and out below the problem!
    My inspection shows trails where the heat did escape around the upper rubber seal at two ends over the engine compartment.. Those very small openings were the only means of heat escape, but not nearly enough! The heat there was so intense it started bubbling and blistering the paint on the hood! That was all the information I needed to be confident in the purchase of this 2002 Buick Rendezvous!
    After the purchase I cut the rubber seal down away from the hood at least one inch by two feet from center…NOTE! I was also careful not to remove the guard area for rain water. The lower section of the rubber guard takes care of that. For a test to be sure I sprayed water over the windshield and not a drop spilled onto the engine…..
    Well it’s been two years and not one over-heating problem since…… I have photos on the work done if you like……
  • tammilanitammilani Member Posts: 5
    Sarah, I just sent an email to your gmail account. All the information requested is there. I also contacted the Service Writer at the dealership to advise him you may be calling. Please follow up as soon as possible. Thank you.
  • zishi07zishi07 Member Posts: 1
    Please send the pictures of what you did. I am currently having the exact same issues. My rendevouz started overheating. When I went to the engine, I could not feel heat on the engine and the radiator cap was still cool. Please let me know how you solved your problem!!!! Thanks!
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Thank you! That email will be forwarded into our database, and you should hear back from Christina, a fellow Customer Service Representative who handles a majority of the emails from Edmunds. She will set up your Service Request and advise you as to the next step in the process.

    Best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    'My rendevouz started overheating.'

    If it just started overheating I would be more inclined to fix whatever the problem is rather then applying a bandaid/cover up fix.
  • tammilanitammilani Member Posts: 5
    Sarah, thank you for responding back. Do you have a timeframe of when Christina might contact me? My car will be ready in a few days. Will I hear from her prior to that? Please advise.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Tammilani - I have asked Christina to keep an eye out for your email as your vehicle is currently in the dealership. Thanks for working with us!
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • tammilanitammilani Member Posts: 5
    I received an email from Christina with a case number. She advised that a local District Specialist will be calling me in 2-3 business days. Bottom line though is, will they contact me before my car is ready?
  • augustmoon1969augustmoon1969 Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2012
    I also had a HUGE overheating issue. Your post was EXTREMELY helpful and informative. My boyfriends excellent at working on cars but he was stumped on this one took over two weeks to get it to run consistant. Wish we had read your post SOONER. He picked up a thermo controled electric fan kick on kit and set it for 185 then he hooked it to the air conditioner fan by pulling out the fan selenoid fuse to number 2 which is the ac secondary fan then Ihe also drilled a 2mm hole in the thermostat(mechanics will tell you not to do this but it worked great for me) that way theres no air pockets behind the thermostat delaying it from openeing and thus creating an air pocket. Its ran cooler then ever and CONSISTANT which was a huge issue. We would love to see those pictures would you please send them. Thanks, Melissa. My emails jewelry1232001@yahoo.com
  • spike99spike99 Member Posts: 239
    edited January 2012
    " 2mm hole in the thermostat", "removing factory rubbers from the hood seal", etc. etc. ????? Like OMG, what other butcher jobs are people doing to their vehicle as well?

    Instead of removing water seal rubbers, drilling holes (when certified mechanics tell you not to do it), etc. etc, have you ever asked yourself why there's air bubbles in the system? If wondering, I have a 2003 RDV with "pure factory" hood rubber and pure factory themostat and my vehicle's TEMP is consistant. And, I know other RDV's that have consistant temps as well.

    PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stop telling others to "butcher" their vehicle. Especially when other certified auto mechanics are also saying its a bad idea as well. It's always best to find the root cause of the problem and fix it properly. For example, if its a small leak within its intake gasket, get its intake gasket replaced - with an ew / proper gasket material. Butchering a vehicle's original design isn't the answer. Especially in the long run...

    .
  • buddo9buddo9 Member Posts: 18
    You better get your information straght! I told absolutely no one to drill a hole in a thermostat! However, I did show them how to cure the problem with air circulation by removeing a partial half of the upper guard at the hood.. The problem was the compartment design, not allowing the engine to breath (At all!) The fan air below simply directs all the air under the engine while top section is sufficating. ( That is the correct diagnosis !) I have been around engines all my life and my Buick Rendevouz is running perfectky cool from this correction.. Most ALL Buick Rendexouz's suffer fron this circulation error,, I can prove that in a court of law! .... Either one corrects the problem or burns up head haskets, seals, or complete engine! Worse ! A FIRE! Keep your mouth and accusations out of my corrections! I sent my instructions the GM......
  • spike99spike99 Member Posts: 239
    edited January 2012
    Look at my above post. Why do you continue do you tell others to remove / modify rubber seals, why does that other person (Melissa) tell others to drill holes in thermostats? Then, you tell others to shut their mouths?

    OMG people.... I hope you don't tell others to stick their fingers in electrical outlets and try to explain its safe as well? Will that stick up in a court of law??? You know.... There's all sorts of garbage on the internet. Both of your posts is perfect examples.... Example of people butchering a factory design without looking at the root cause of the problem.

    Talk about your skating style, you still haven't explained why other 2002 intake gaskets on 3.4L engines in other GM vehicles from mini-vans to sedans blow their head gaskets as well. Are those other vehicle hood compartment designed improperly as well?

    BTW: My 2003 RDV has original factory specs with original rubber hood seal and its temp needle is steady as solid pole. Why is my vehicle different than yours - yet both have same engine compartment? Sounds like something is seriously wrong with your 2002 engine. Perhaps leaky intake gasket????

    .
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2012
    We welcome all points of view on our forums. All we ask is that you keep to the topic - it's okay to disagree, but we can do without name-calling or finger-pointing. Not to mention a simple factual analysis carries a lot more weight with more people than an ad hominem attack does.

    Thanks!
  • spike99spike99 Member Posts: 239
    edited January 2012
    I agree. One can remove the hood rubbers from their own vehicle or drill holes in thermostats if they want. They own their own vehicle and if they want, they can even put their own bullet into their own vehicle. I hope others reading this thread will realize that removing hood rubbers WILL allow water and ice into the engine area. Hot engine, wiring + water = very bad situation. I also want to know why a 2003 RDV (my vehicle) is at factory design and doesn't run hot. Its temp needle is smooth, steady, and doesn't vary. Yet, a 2002 RDV has over heating problems. Removing / cutting hood rubbers is the reactive action to recover from something wrong with it. It isn't the solution to solve the "root cause" of the problem. Telling others to remove hood rubbers = very bad idea. Especially when this idea is NOT promoted by GM…..

    .
  • kmoore4kmoore4 Member Posts: 3
    Help! I don't know what to do anymore. I have a 2003 model. I have replaced my intake several times, new water pump, new hoses, new transmission and it is still over heating!!!!!! I have spent so much money this past week on it. I am at a lost and need help. I am at my wits end with this car but I have it. I don't have the money to buy another one or continue to put money into this one. What do I need to do to stop it from over heating now? If there is a class action against this car who do I call? HELP!
  • buddo9buddo9 Member Posts: 18
    The problem will not go away,, I have a 2002, same problem,, The engine compartment is a bad design trapping heat in the upper area ,, I cut the rubber guard near the windshiled 1 inch by 2 feet , leaving 1 inch below for water run off,..
    My egine is now cool and stays cool ! It's just a matter of poor air circulation ,, GM has my statments... I do have photos.. Bud!
  • mrfsramrfsra Member Posts: 3
    The problem with the comment on an earlier post about these repairs not being GM recommended is that they aren't recommending anything except spend money. I have had to replace manifold and head gaskets on an AZTEC and a Rendezous both with 50-60K. I never had these problems with my Honda/Toyota products and my driving habits have not changed.
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    Couple thoughts. T-stat maybe? Did you bleed all the air out of system after changes? Radiater cap without proper seal could let air in system and coolant could gunk up and cause problems.
  • buddo9buddo9 Member Posts: 18
    I thought you needed help on overheting problem !? ,, Mine is fixed !
    The stuff you talked about was done previous to my purchase of the Buick R..
    Thay guy did not know anything about poor air circulation so I bought it knoing I could cure the problem ...... NOW! Do you really have a problem or are you from GM sniffing around..
    I already sent them my diagnosis which is correct!
    My Buick R,, has run cool now for two years,,,,,,,,,,,,
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    To whom are you replying? You should click on reply to a particular message instead of starting new thread, otherwise we don't know.
  • stacey920stacey920 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2012
    So can you please send me a picture of your work.
  • ms_vms_v Member Posts: 1
    I am not sure where to start. I purchased my vehicle in 2010 it has over 100,000 miles on it and since 09/2011 my buick has been overheating. The gauge flucuats while I drive it on the reguar streets with no rhyme or reason. I can't even attempt to drive it on the interstate or it will overheat in less then two minutes and start loosing power. I have replaced temperature gauges, hoses, radiator, and everything that could possibly make a vehicle overheat and to no avail, I still have the same issues. Even the shop that fixed my car can't explain why it is still overheating after spending thousands of dollars. They have tested the engine when it is reading HOT and the engine is not hot. I am so frustrated at the fact I would have to continue to invest money into something that doesn't seem fixable and is at this point a guessing game. This seems to be uniform from the other complaints that I have read. I am not sure that I am relieved to know I am not the only person having this problem or more frustrated seeing GMC is doing nothing about it to fix our problems. When is GMC going to accept responsibility and put out a recall to fix these poorly made vehicles and stop making the cusomers suffer. I am to the point I will NEVER purchase another GMC product, EVER!
  • clm51clm51 Member Posts: 9
    The exact same thing happened to me the past Jan. I had to have the instrument cluster rebuilt (you can't purchase one, either old or new). The cost was about$500. Was told orginally that it would have to be pulled and sent off to be rebuilt. I would be without my car for as long as 2-3 weeks. But my mechanic found a guy 2.5 hours away who would come to my town and do it in one day. Haven't had any problems since. My mechanic did tell me before it was fixed not to drive it out of town as I would not have any warning for true overheating or busted water pump, etc. BTW, my engine was not overheating, the guage was just messed up.
    Good luck. I've been driving Rendezvous for 9 years. They haven't had any more problems than any other car I've ever driven.
  • rellison8rellison8 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2012
    I am having much the same issue with our 2004 rdv. Over the winter it developed an issue where the gas gauge would be all over the place and not reading accurate. When you would take it on a long drive the speedometer would not always return to 0 and would continue to climb when you accelerate until it was wrapped all the way back around to 0. Now this spring it is giving me fits where any time I pull my boat or slow down from highway speed the gauge rockets up past 1/2 way and I have seen at as high as 3/4. I have checked the cooling system and it has good clean coolant, fans seem to be working fine, water pump seems fine and thermostat must be working cause it will at times go back down leading me to believe it is allowing coolant through the system. Also when we have been driving it for a while and slow down we can hear what sounds like a bubbling sound coming from inside the dashboard area. Not sure what is causing that either.

    So I am now wondering if I really have a cooling system problem at all or if the gauge is just messing up on me.

    Anyone got any advice before I start to sink big money into the cooling system.

    Thanks!
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    bubbling would have me thinking about air in the system (or low coolant if you prefer). Won't help with the other issues though
  • rellison8rellison8 Member Posts: 2
    Yeah, I was thinking that too, until I opened the radiator and its full and the overflow tank has fluid in it also. So where would the air be in the system and how do I get it out?

    My wife took the rdv out today and its near 80 here and she said she never had one lick of issues with it acting like it wanted to overheat. It seems extremely random and mostly when I have my boat hooked to it. Funny thing is I don't even have to actually drive it anywhere. I can hook the boat up, fire it up in the driveway and just let it sit and run and the gauge will just keep getting higher and higher. I am almost wondering if its not an electrical issue and when I hook the wiring harness to the boat up if that is somehow playing a roll in it. Whatever it is I am sure clueless as where to start.
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    If there is air in the system, there is two bleed screws to get it out. (don't know where they are as I haven't had a need to look for them)
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    ms_v,

    I am sorry to read about the multiple trips you have had to make to get this overheating concern looked into. Have these all been made to a local mechanic, or to one of our dealerships?

    If we can look into this further with you, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name/Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage and the name of your involved dealership) and we'd be happy to do so. My coworker Christina, who answers inbound emails from the forum, will advise you further.

    All the best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • kmoore4kmoore4 Member Posts: 3
    I so agree with you there........... I have had it with is GMC. It sits in my driveway more than on the street because of over heating! I have had the intake gaskets remove twice and now on the 3rd set, new water pump, new belts, new transmission......now... I am looking into the fans because they are not keeping the car cool down!
  • kmoore4kmoore4 Member Posts: 3
    The T-stat is fine... It has been sitting in my yard because of money to repair it again. I hope to get it fixed this weekend. I need a car! I have replaced the transmission, water pump, battery, belts, hoses, and this weekend the intake gaskets again...this will be the 3rd time! I am also looking into the fan system. This may be the major problem with the car....Thank you for trying to help me.... if you have information on the what to replace on the fan part please let me know what to look for...Thanks Kathy
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    I don't want to assume anything, is it actually getting into the red zone on gauge or just close (in particular while in slow/stopped traffic)? One quick way to tell if fans are actully working is to turn on the A/C, both fans should quickly turn on. Could also be temperature sensor/connections are not working correctly.
  • dolfinitydolfinity Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2012
    Hi... I have had the overheating problem since October. It has always been very warm under the hood, and I have the telltale melted paint under the hood, but I have never seen the temperature gauge go over the halfway mark. Suddenly one day, the car completely shut down while driving on the highway. The Hot Engine warning light came on, It was a warm day, and the car had been idling for awhile before driving. I was also running the A/C. Then the weather turned cool, and I didn't see the problem for several months. I keep the reservoir full will DexCool, although there is a lot sludge in it. Now the weather is heating up again, and I'm getting explosions of DexCool from the safety valve almost every time I park. I have DexCool all over the engine, the inside of the hood, and leave a puddle of the coolant wherever I park. And even after a short 10 mile drive, it sounds like the engine is percolating (like every bit of fluid is boiling) after I stop. It is scary. I'm a single Mom, and this vehicle is my lifeline. But I also can't afford to pay thousands, or even hundreds for a repair. I have had the car for 6 years. Also, about 2 years ago, I noticed the speedometer occasionally dropping down to 10 or 5 while driving on the highway. It has gradually gotten worse to where now it occasionally reads the correct speed, but usually stays at 0. That seems to be a common issue with the Rendezvous. What kind of repair bills will I be looking at? I was told that the overheating issue was a problem with the engine heating core, not the radiator. Dunno.
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    If you have coolant all over the place in engine compartment I would suspect a hose that's leaking, This will quickly lead to low coolant and overheating that can do some serious damage. You also need to check coolant level in radiator by removing the cap (while cold), the reservoir fill isn't going to be good enough.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    dolfinity,
    Thank you for taking the time to post your experience and concerns. I would recommend speaking with a GM dealer, even if its only to get the concern diagnosed. Please feel free to email me directly. Any updates on your concerns are appreciated.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • royalteeroyaltee Member Posts: 1
    MY 2003 BR TEMP GAUGE GO IN THE RED WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. WHEN I PULL OVER THE ENGINE IS COLD AS ICE, THERE IS NO SMOKE OR STEAM,I HAVE HAD WORK DONE AND NOTHING IS WORKING. IS THIS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? IT GOES UP AND DOWN AT TIMES BUT IT SEEMS TO BE STAYING IN THE RED MORE. I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!
  • dscott4dscott4 Member Posts: 1
    i have replaced 2 themastats, new fluid, no leaks, i would so like to see your photos, can't afford a head gasket, could it be a rad. cap??
  • vienashayla910vienashayla910 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, i have a 2002 Buick rendezvous with the same overheating problem, your explanation of how to fix the problem is pretty clear, but I would like to see some pics of the work since my husband doesn't know English and even thought I explain to him how to do the work It's better if he sees the procedure in pictures, please I need your help you've been the only one that has made a really clear explanation, my email is aneiv2007@hotmail.com, thanks in advance, take care :)
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