Questions and Answers

S-10 Gets Too Hot Too Handle Q. Help! I have a 1991 Chevy S-10 2.8 liter V-6 with air conditioning. It just has 180,000 miles on it and purrs like a kitten but has a overheating problem. The water pump has been replaced along with cooling fan, 3 thermostats (just to rule out bad ones), radiator has been rodded out.

We don't use air in it at all. It just overheats about a half an hour out on the road and then you have to run the heat full blast to keep it anywhere near cool. There is no water in the oil like a cracked head and no water leak or anything else we can locate. Someone informed us that there is a hose that has some kind of regulator in it that controls water flow to regulate heat and air that can clog up and restrict water flow. It appears to have plenty of air flow. Any help or suggestions.

Thanks,
Julie

A. I think that "regulator" they are talking about is the heater control valve. If your heater is working properly, as you have indicated, then it's not a possibility.

I have found in situations like yours, the problem is most often in the block itself. Rust and sludge accumulate over the years and close up the water passages. A good engine flush will quite often take care of it although I have had cases where I had to remove the freeze plugs and dig it out with screwdrivers, coat hangers and whatever else it took to clear them out.

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