My 2000 Chevy Cavalier (2.4L) has been overheating pretty majorly (within a 10 minute drive!) when it's been super cold out, about 5F. I took it to the shop and they told me it was my water pump. Right after getting out of the shop, the problem went away for an entire week and the car's temperature has been at exactly what it's been for years - never past 195. It seems to be back now, though not as severe. It's about 20F now.Could the weather have to do with this??Why would the problem go away like that?I'm female and definitely do not seem educated walking into a shop so they can really tell me anything and I'll buy it. I just wanna see if the problem going away like that makes any sense, or if I should just wait out long trips until it warms up outside.It doesn't look like I'm losing coolant, though my low coolant light goes in and out.I have no idea. Thoughts?Thank you!!
There is the possibility that the water pump cause a wake spot in the system to develop a small leak. The level at the reservoir might not drop but the coolant level in the radiator will drop. Just go back to them and tell them exactly what you said here, and ask to check your coolant level. Outside temperature won't effect it because the car runs at almost 200F
There's lots of possible damage that can occur in an overheat condition. Best to get it in somewhere with a laser temp gauge to track the problem in the system. There is a good possibility the thermostat is going bad if you are overheating and not losing coolant. That indicates a blockage to stop coolant flow.
The thermostat is on it's way out..and is sticking closed. Get a new thermostat installed and the engine coolant flushed and filled with a 50/50 mix. If it were the water pump you would have been loosing coolant and the problem would not have been intermittent. Take it to another shop as they are trying to rip you off for a water pump. Replacing a thermostat and flush is not that expensive ..
They were trying to do you a favor silly. When you took it in they checked it out and found that the water pump was leaking, an expensive job on that engine. You probably said something to make them believe that you don't have the money to fix it right away so they topped up your coolant reservoir and your car ran just fine until it leaked out and started overheating again. You will be buying an engine or junking this car very soon if you don't repair the water pump. OK, but they did top up the coolant trying help you, but you're not listening....
When the water pump goes you usually see obvious signs of leakage and a grinding metallic sound coming from it as well. Plus they usually go pretty fast, within a day or 2 of symptoms presenting, and then coolant is often gushing out. The thermostat is the more likely culprit. The thermostats on the '00-'02 Cavs are pretty bad. I've replaced (2) of them in 6 years on my car. Take it to another shop and let them look at it, point out that you think it might be the thermostat or water pump but you're not sure, at least you will sound like you have a clue what the problem might be.
