I have 03 trailblazer at about 140k mile traveling to florida through ala. noticed that when engine was under a load the temp started to rise. (has never ever done this before). thought it might have been...
It's not possible to tell you exactly what is causing the vehicle to overheat; however, I can tell you possible causes. The engine cooling system is based on the fact that heat always travels to cold, so that if one thing is warmer than another, it will transfer its heat to the cooler thing. Engine heat is first transferred to the coolant in its water passages, the coolant carries the heat to the radiator where the heat is then transferred to the air flowing between the radiator cores and fins; the cooled coolant then returns to the engine to take away more heat. Thermostats, when they deteriorate, usually stick open from lack of spring pressure and cause the engine to run cool, so we can rule that out. You need to check for good coolant circulation by the water pump, and check the radiator and A/C condenser to make sure nothing is restricting air flow (such as bugs, leaves etc. or bent over fins), and the last, and possibly most likely source of the problem is clogged radiator cores that are not exposing the heated coolant to the air flow. The greatest tool for diagnosing cooling systems is a no touch thermometer available at many parts stores for around $30 to $50 for a decent one. If your problem is clogged radiator cores flushing seldom clears them, and few radiator shops rod out cores anymore, so the least expensive and best sure is a new radiator. One final thought, if your vehicle has a fan shroud make sure it's in place and in good shape.
i hope someone knows
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