You are here:

Cadillac Repair/My cadillac reaches 224 degrees-is it overheating??

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/31/2011


Question
Hello Rob,
I have been following ALL your replies to cadillac problems on this site for over a year now and although I am mechanically stupid have learnt a lot from your answers to questions,so,thank you.
When you kept on about cadillacs overheating problem I decided to watch my temperature to see how hot it was getting(this was almost a year ago now)-it normally runs at about 200/210 degrees but if in heavy traffic it can reach as high as 224 degrees for a very short time and then the fan cuts in and it immediately cools down again to about 210ish.My car is a 1991 Seville 4.9L and as far as Im concerned is running perfectly with no problems(I had a new radiator about 2 years ago) and it never loses any water at all.
I sent you a question a while ago now to ask was it acceptable for my car to run at this temperature and you replied "yes it is".
Your latest answer to a question "The minute these engines get to 220 degrees they are self destructing and it really doesnt matter anymore if the fans are circulating" has left me a little confused and concerned as to whether my car is running ok??
Rob,I have taken seriously all your comments about overheating problems and watch my temperature constantly(for almost a year) and in that time it hasnt changed-it still goes as high as 224 degrees for a very short time and then cools down again to about 210ish.
To me my car appears to be running perfectly ok, but you're the expert Rob, should I be worried at all??
Many thanks
Andy

Answer
Hello,

Thank you for following. I love this. Please remember even I can make typos and the deadly point is 230 degrees, not 220. Don't panic!!!!!

Almost every response is not canned and is for that specific answer. Besides writing reports, testifying in court depositions, trial and consulting I do a tremendous amount of writing. As good and accurate as I am, I do make an occasional typo. There are times I am writing I get double vision as well due to the MS I was recently diagnosed as having-lovely!

Some people run straight water with a boiling point of 212 and anti-freeze will change the boiling point pressurized to around 230. Your fans are kicking on a 224 which means everything is functioning fine.

If you noticed too, the ones I have been responding lately have possible cooling system leaks and the pressurization is not functioning to turn the fans on.

There are many variables here and no absolutes other than if the gauge pegs on this engine, its all over!

I appreciate you noticing my typo, but just don't panic! Although I commend you for your concern.

Occasionally I get goofy questions, but it is people like you that make me feel volunteering my time is well worth it. Thanks again!

http://www.autotheftexpert.com

Cadillac Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Rob Painter

Expertise

Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

Experience

Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.