Hi, I bought a 99 3000GT with about 100k miles to get me to college. I need help with an overheating problem. Found it had a literally broken thermostat, after it overheated very badly. Replaced the thermostat and a leaky radiator, that probably happened with the overheating?? No water in the oil, or oil in the water. Pressure tests are good. Doesn't overheat just idling. Overheats with almost no water left after driving about 10 miles on the freeway. Heat gauge stays about mid point and then quickly goes to the top. Help please.

 

white smoke?

 

No white spoke or other signs of moisture from the tailpipe. Only noticeable moisture is steam from the overflow when the engine is overheated

 

1- cylinder pressure? or cooling system pressure.

2- to be clear, you fill it with water/coolant and drive 10 miles and the cooling system is empty?

3- presumably the heat gauge goes to the top at the same time you run out of water?

4- you realise you probably shouldn't be driving it, huh?

 

1 - cooling system pressure
2 - yes, well mostly empty. Lots of steam from overflow, takes a gallon of water (when cooled down)
3 - yes, heat gauge stayed about mid point and quickly went to the top. So pulled over.
4 - yep. At this point just driving short distances on city streets to work. Watching gauge closely, hasn't gone up, hasn't needed water for two weeks.


Called a local Mits dealer. $150 for diag. Will apply cost to any needed repairs. At this point I don't see any good options. And if I resolve this, then I'll need to replace the timing belt. But don't want to do that until any engine/cooling problems are resolved.

 

so it overheated once but hasnt for two weeks since?

City driving is the worst for heat/engines, id say youre fine