Expert: Mark Bisig - 1/26/2006

Question
Hi Mark,
I have a 2000 3.4 liter Chevy Impala and reading a round it sounds as though overheating is a big problem. I am having the same problem I have replace the fans, flushed the radiator, changed the temperature sensor, replaced the radiator cap, and checked my hoses and the replaced the water pump. I am still having the overheating problem plus when it starts to get close to overheating I turn on the heater and the heater does not work. Would this be the head gasket manifold I keep hearing about or am I having a different problem? Also how hard is it to repair this problem I know it sounds like a job that would take a couple of days but I do not what to be out $500. Thanks for your help.


Answer
Hi Gabriel, Yes this could be a head gasket problem. There are a lot of intake manifold gasket leaks and if you overheat the engine it can cause the head gasket to go bad. Almost all head gaskets that fail are from overheating the engine. If the radiator is not low and it is over heating then it is a bad headgasket. Yes it's just a headgasket and I don't know if you can do it, only you can make that call.

Hope this helps

Mark