Expert: Mark Bisig - 1/3/2006

Question
i have a 2001 Chevy malibu V6 3.8L. my boyfriend tried to change the serpentine belt, and in turn broke the power steering pulley and pump. I took it to another "mechanic" who replaced the pump, pulley, and also the serpentine belt. Ever since he "fixed" it my car has been making a weird noise when I press on the accelerator much like that of a deisel engine rattle.  When i can hear this noise the temp gauge starts to go up, the heater won't blow hot only cool air, I start to lose power, and  then the gauge goes all the way to hot the red light turns on and also there is smoke coming from the coolant resevoir overflow drain hose thing. i dont know if the serpentine belt is not turning the fan, or if there is a leak in the radiator, or if its the thermostat, oh please help! When I add the Dexcool coolant or even water for that matter it seems to be cycling through to the radiator, but i dont know if it is actually making it to the engine. Also where exactly is the thermostat located on a 2001 chevy malibu?

Answer
Hi Melynie, It sounds to me like your engine is overheating. Do not drive this car if it overheats!! If the temp light is coming on and the gauge is in the red, you need to have it towed. You will cause big time damage to the engine if you drive it like this.

   The thermostat is not easy to replace on this car. It is under the throttle body and is not a fast job.


Let me know how you make out

Mark


Hi, If you ran it until it quit it's not a good thing. Hopefully just the cylinder head gaskets have gone bad and not the piston rings. When this engine gets hot it will blow the headgaskets. As far as more then that depends on how hot and how long. There is no way to tell without really getting into the engine.

Sorry I can't help more

Mark