AboutBen Deutschman Expertise Questions ONLY related to Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge Slant-Sixes from 1960-1975. You can ask me about Engine Timing, general specifications, do`s and don`ts, and details such as proper installation of `Spark Plugs` on the 1960-74 `Slant-Sixes.`
Experience I own and work on a 1960 plymouth, powered by a 'Slant-Six', have also worked on a 1968 'Slant-Six', a 1975, a 1964, and and 1970 'Slant-Six'
Organizations Ben Deutschman
POCI Legislative Liaison
President Of The NY/NJ Slant-Six Club Of America
http://www.poci.org
http://bencar.freeyellow.com/76TAPage.html
http://bencar.freeyellow.com/benscarpage.html
http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=nynjslant6 (NY/NJ Slant-Six Club Of America Website)
Publications Smoke Signals (Pontiac-Oakland Club International)
Hemmings Motor News
Education/Credentials B.A 'Labor Relations', 'Rutgers University' (Livingston College Campus)
Question QUESTION: After driving about an hour on the hoghway, my temp gauge starting rising eventually reaching the red zone, then bouncing back and forth. What would cause this?
ANSWER: Without at least knowing what year your vehicle is, it would be hard to even hazard a guess. What I can say, is that most everything since the mid 90's is Distributorless, and at least most vehicles from the 80's have some form of Computer Engine management, so Timing rarely would be an issue. It is possible though that you have a partialy clogged Radiator, which once a continous load is put on it, as in at Highway speeds, it can't cool the Engine sufficiently, or that there is a sediment built up in the Engine Block. Both would require professional attention to fix. It is also possible that the Thermostst is only opening partially.
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QUESTION: I should have stated that the car is a 1999 Buick Century.
When I took it in to the shop today, they checked everything and it all checked out ok. They warmed it up by idling and then took it on the road for about 10 minutes. Not the same as my long road trip. Before I left, we agreed to try changing the thermostat to see if that corrects the problem. To my knowledge, it has never been changed. I will take it in on THursday to change the thermostat. Do you have anything to add based on my comments? Thanks so much for your help.
Answer Since it's a 1999 Model Buick, and if it's the 3.1 V-6, I'd have to say that other than the possibilities I mentioned earlier, I can't think of anything else that might be causing your problem. Generally, if it were a Blown Head Gasket, you'd either have Coolant in the Oil, or overheating under virtually all driving conditions, and even a hairline crack in either one of the Heads, or the Block, would probably result in Coolant loss, and overheating under nearly any driving condition you'd experience.
