My 2009 Equinox is overheating intermittently. It overheated in the summer and tnen not again for 3 months then twice in one week
My 2009 Equinox is overheating intermittently. It overheated in the summer and then not again for 3 months then twice in one week. The engine looses power, warning lights and codes come on and a bell starts ringing. The bell continues to ring even after the engine is turned off and the key pulled out. At first the with the heater turned to full heat and fan I got very hot air. Now I get just warm air even though the temperature gauge shows very high temperature. Please help.Thank you 2009 Equinox
My car has 85000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Check the coolant level to be sure it is adequate. Of course, if the coolant level is low enough to cause overheating, you may have a coolant leak. If the overheating is intermittent that would point to a possibly sticking thermostat, malfunctioning controls for the cooling fans, or the fans themselves, and possibly an engine operating condition such as an excessively lean air fuel ratio. Other common causes of overheating include low coolant level, a plugged radiator, collapsed hoses, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket or poor engine running condition can also cause overheating. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Other common causes of overheating include low coolant level, a plugged radiator, collapsed hoses, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket or poor engine running condition can also cause overheating.
Faulty Thermostat
Once the engine reaches operating temperature, the valve will open and coolant will begin to flow through the engine. A faulty thermostat might remain closed even when the engine is hot, which can quickly lead to overheating.
In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Why does my Equinox`s engine overheat? There are two main causes for engine overheat: The coolant does not flow through the system like it should. There is not enough air flowing through the radiator.
Error code P0128 indicates that your engine coolant temperature is below the thermostat regulating temperature. This means that your Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has recognized that your engine is running cooler than it`s supposed to.
It gets even more concerning and confusing when car overheating suddenly returns to normal. This phenomenon can happen for many reasons, like a bad thermostat, a faulty radiator, or a coolant leak. As such, it`s best to get your car checked by a professional— like RepairSmith!
COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR FAULTY: SYMPTOMS
Higher idle speed. Increased fuel consumption. Poor starting behaviour.
Sweating more or feeling hotter than usual can be due to medication, hormonal changes, stress, or an underlying health condition, such as diabetes or an overactive thyroid.
The best years of the Chevrolet Equinox are 2019-2021, 2016-2017, and 2012-2015. The years you should absolutely avoid are 2005-2007, 2008-2011, and 2018. Most issues are related to engine problems, but there`s also a chance of transmission failure on a few models, as well as brake or AC/heater trouble.
Technically speaking yes you can use plain water in your cooling system but it isn`t recommended as a long term solution and certainly not in extreme weather conditions.
If the coolant tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical in nature, in which case a tow to the nearest repair shop is definitely in order. A leaking hose, worn or broken fan belt, bad water pump, or malfunctioning thermostat may be the culprit.
If you notice that your engine overheats, the coolant temperature sensor could be the problem. At times, the coolant temperature switch may fail such that it starts transmitting hot signals permanently. This causes the computer to erroneously counterbalance the signal, thereby causing the engine to misfire or overheat.
That said, a severely overheating engine can cause the cylinder walls or the pistons themselves to warp, bend and deform. This will cause the perfect seal between the piston and the rest of the engine to lose integrity. Oil could be forced past the piston rings and into the engine, where it will burn the oil.
Start your car`s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
Standard thermostats: Enlist a friend or family member to assist, Position one person by the thermostat and one person by the furnace. Slowly turn the thermostat from off to heat and increase the temperature. Both the thermostat and furnace should make a sound.
Running an engine without the thermostat can cause the engine to overheat due to the coolant passes through the engine too fast and will not let the coolant absorb the heat from the engine.
A failing oxygen sensor is an oft-overlooked cause of overheating. Your converter links to oxygen sensors in your vehicle. These sensors are used to measure the mix of air and liquid fuel. If the mix is off and becomes too rich, your catalytic converter can overheat as a result.
There are two temperature sensors in some vehicles, one to send information from the engine system to the control unit and another from the control unit to the dashboard. The device follows the principle of dependence of potential difference in temperature.
Steam is coming from the hood
This is because the coolant is way past the boiling point and is now becoming steam much like water. This is a big sign that the engine is overheating, and it needs to be shut off immediately before any damage happens.
If your vehicle`s engine overheats, it could be due to failing spark plugs. Overheating can happen for a number of reasons that can cause your engine to be too hot. This can harm your engine parts and lead to expensive repairs down the line.
How Long Will the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox Last? A well cared for 2009 Chevy Equinox lasts around 200,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles less than top-rated competitors including the Honda CR-V.
If you`re looking to get the most efficient drive out of your new Equinox, then the 1.6L Turbo-Diesel engine is your best option.
Drinking cool liquids like water or iced tea can help reduce body temperature by cooling the body internally. The regular intake of fluids can also prevent dehydration, which can increase body heat.
Your radiator is likely already damaged, but in the early stages of overheating, it can be repaired. The more you drive on it, the more you`re likely to see burst hoses burst, failed radiator stems, and exploding cooling systems.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My 2009 Equinox is overheating intermittently. It overheated in the summer and tnen not again for 3 months then twice in one week
ANSWER : Check the coolant level to be sure it is adequate. Of course, if the coolant level is low enough to cause overheating, you may have a coolant leak. If the overheating is intermittent that would point to a possibly sticking thermostat, malfunctioning controls for the cooling fans, or the fans themselves, and possibly an engine operating condition such as an excessively lean air fuel ratio. Other common causes of overheating include low coolant level, a plugged radiator, collapsed hoses, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket or poor engine running condition can also cause overheating. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Had harmonic balancer replaced twice in 3 months, one week after fixing it the 2nd time the engine threw a rod
ANSWER : The only way to determine what is broken, and who is potentially responsible or at fault, is to physically examine the engine. Speculation in the absence of a physical, on site examination is not going to help you. If you are asking generally, "can a mechanic cause damage to my car?" of course the answer is emphatically yes and that is why you should be exceptionally careful in who you deal with and ALWAYS ask tons of questions in order to gauge "who" you are dealing with. An easy decision rule, covering ALL aspects of life, is don’t deal with anybody who doesn’t love to answer YOUR questions, in this case about your car, that you spent your hard earned money on.
With regard to the harmonic balancer, when the FIRST replacement was performed, that should have concluded it. That is, the first repair should have been lasting. As far as why the first repair failed, again hard to say without what we call a forensic exam, but a possibility is the pulley bolt may have been either under tightened or over tightened. Either mistake can cause the balancer to come off. If there is internal engine damage, the engine can be repaired or replaced. Either is no big deal and if you desire to consider your options, and costs, please simply contact YourMechanic and a certified mechanic will be dispatched to diagnose what you have and set out for you repair strategies. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
One month ago cel came on I changed spark plugs to after market plugs. One month later cel on again with misfire code.
ANSWER : If the spark plugs hadn’t been changed until 130k, it was time for the to be replaced anyway. This is probably why the dealer went with that repair as worn spark plugs can cause misfires. Ignition coils are another part that may fail and cause misfires when they malfunction. A compression test and cylinder leak-down test will show if there is a problem with the valves. You can try having the coils replaced and the valves adjusted by the dealer. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and conduct the same tests as the dealer could and determine the cause for your check engine light.
I added one litre of engine oil last week the light went off through out the week. It just started yesterday again completing a we
ANSWER : You need to make sure your oil is full to the fill line. If oil was low then this is cause of low pressure light. If light stays on then you need to have the oil pressure checked with a gauge and if it checks okay then replace the oil pressure sensor.
Well be driving 3 hours one way today and 3 the next day in 20 to 30 degree weather. It is dry out but freezing. I have 2 new…
ANSWER : With a front-wheel drive vehicle, having the newer tires on the front is definitely the right placement. When it comes to driving in inclement weather, just remember that good common sense is your best bet. If you feel the driving conditions aren’t the best, just slow down a little and take your time. Don’t worry about what how the people around you are driving, watch out for them, but don’t drive outside of your comfort zone. If conditions worsen while you are driving, and you don’t feel comfortable, pull off of the road and wait until the conditions are to a point you feel comfortable. Having plans, or a time frame, won’t matter if you have an accident. Keep in mind that bridges and overpasses will freeze first, but using good judgement is the most important factor in inclement weather. Also, you can also watch videos on the subject at several social media outlets. And, by the way, the "S" marking on the gearshift is for "Sport" mode. It is used for more "spirited" driving, and should not be used in inclement weather.
I have a Peugeot estate and 3 months ago I had a gear selecter cable replaced by a garage it now needs another one as its snapped.
ANSWER : Hello. If the selector cable was recently replaced at a shop I would return to that shop and see if they have some sort of warranty on the part or work. If that is the case it may be possible that they can take care of the issue for little or no cost. If the cable is adjustable, I would make sure that it is properly adjusted as an improper adjustment may result in excessive tension on the cable, which can result in premature failure. If you also have other issues with the vehicle, especially if they are brake related, I would return to the shop that did the job and have them look over their work. Most shops will be able, or willing to help you if it was an issue with their work that is causing your problems.
I don’t know if I have two mufflers or one if I do have one what does the other one do ? Thank you.
ANSWER : When you look under the back of the car and you see only one pipe out the back then you have only one muffler and a resonator. The resonator is near the back and is used for lowering the exhaust noise more and giving it a better tone. If you see two pipes out the back then you may have only one muffler but two resonators. Next time you have a service done, then ask the mechanic to see what you have since there are different models of Accords and they may have different exhaust configurations.
Can I drive with just one lug nut loose on one tire? The nut is stripped so I cannot take it off. But 3 out of 4 nuts are on tight
ANSWER : Hi there. I’ve seen many vehicles on the road with a lug nut missing and it does seem to work. However, what these people are unaware of is that improper/uneven wheel nut torque is a major cause of brake vibrations. The uneven/improper torque can cause the brake rotor/drum to warp. If the lug nut is loose, only drive it if you need and get the stripped nut replaced as soon as possible. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to determine if more than the lug nut needs to be replaced and avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a check wheel nuts inspection.
