Thank you for taking the time to make this video, by 2003 aztek overheated and left me stranded, Now that I have it back in my garage and after watching your video I am confident its the head gasket. I will be watching your other videos and tackling it myself, Thank you again for being the type of person who helps put knowledge like this out there for people like me.

You are a sanity saver! I got my '04 Aztek last August as a gift & since February I've had a plethora of issues that I've had to fix. Mostly normal, high-mileage, old-car issues except for the few remaining weird, pull-your-hair-out issues that have had me quite batty. Thanx to this video, as well as comments and replies, I now know what to do. And for the first time in awhile, I am eager and ecstatic to be spending the next couple days in the garage. Thank you so very much for sharing!

That is one of the best videos I've seen , lots of good info . Thanks for sharing it . TheReaper!

You basicly named like 3 issues im currently dealing with. And thanks to you i have a better understanding how i can fix them. Ty

Thank you so much for this through break down. I wish I saw this video a long time ago. Would have saved me so much money, time, and heartache

Excellent Video! More information than I expected. Thank you,

Excellent help Video. It solved my Headache I haave had for A few years. Thanks.

the 3.1l didn't so much have head gasket issues but it dose have intake gasket issues. I hade to replace the lower intake gasket on my 91 Pontiac 6000. he'll of a motor though. ran the shit out if it everyday and when I traded it in it had 315,000 miles on it and it still ran like a top

I have a 1999 Silhouette with 300,000 on the vehicle, replaced trans and engine around 150,000. I intend to drive it until I replace it with a flying saucer :) . I made a modification to the coils and wiring to make it easier to access. I straightened the L-shaped aluminum mount upon which the coils and ignition module rest, then mounted them on top of the intake manifold. It still clears the hood, but makes it much easier to get all those parts in case the coils or module fail. I came about this because a had a no start, that seemed as if it was an ignition module, but turned out it was a broken wire from the crankshaft position sensor. I am prepared to fix this on the roadside, so I try to keep spares with me for things that often break.

5.17.14. The Dexcool coolant will degrade the L.I.M. Gaskets, along with the head gaskets if the coolant is not completely drained from the system. The engine block has drain plugs for both cylinder banks. The back bank drain plug is located between cylinders 3 & 5, & is difficult to access. People go way too long on the coolant service of the system. 2yr/30k miles is what I go. Also the EGR passage port in the upper intake manifold clogs up with carbon, causing a poor or stalling idle. I pulled my engines L.I.M. Off at 82k miles and the L.I.M. Gaskets were just showing slight signs of degrading, not leaking yet. I decided to pull the heads off to inspect the head gaskets. I found that the Dexcool was degrading the head gasket where the opening for the coolant in the block met the opening in the head! It was not leaking yet, but would have in time! I use Fel-Pro metal framed L.I.M. Gaskets & SD head gaskets. Another source of oil leaking is the oil pump drive O-ring located near the flywheel end of the block.

Very informative, thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have a question about my 2000 3.4l Impala. I'm having a problem with the bank 1 sensor 1 o2 sensor. The scan tool I'm using shows a negative reading during live data. I have another Impala (2003) 3.8l and it says the same thing on sensor 1 bank 1. I was just wondering if it's a common issue or if I'm doing something wrong. I've replaced the sensors, I've used cheap o2 sensors and I've used expensive ones but it still doesn't help.

Thank you. This video was very helpful. I'm going to try your method on riding the over heating problem. Hopefully it clears the probpem. Again Thank you

thanks for all the information...greatly appreciated...keep em coming......you the man...

Thank you so much, I will do that today. Also I was told to loosen header exhaust bolts that converters was bad for going bad on those, I did check the exhaust and could not hardly feel much exhaust. So I'm guessing I will be trying both today. I will let you know how it turns out, thank you agian car friend.

Thank you for the information. I have a question on my 2004 impala 3.4 engine. Besides the loss of antifreeze I recently noticed a large loss of oil that I had to add, when this engine previously had no oil usage problems. Can a bad intake gasket cause this? I do suspect a bad head gasket though.

Seeing that it has an iron block(if I'm not mistaken).. As long as you change fluids religiously and take good care of the top portion of the engine(all aluminum) it has the capacity to go 300,000 miles or more..

04 rendezvous overheats, blowing cold air in the cabin and smell a lil burnt sometimes from the engine.

hey my kar blows water out my intake after its on for a while what u think it kan be?

you are also knowledgable on these engines. i did my head gasket job back in 2010 70k and an in car partial rebuild of my 160k trans. (clutch pack, sun gear, 4th gear, chain, bands) needed for a failed sun gear and work clutch packs) when i used to put my car in gear, there would be a slap - turns out there also was no hardened chain in the trans, and it stretched, and caused that annoying slap. anywho, something worth mentioning is that GM recommends to keep the surge tanks filled up to full hot when the car is cold. this is extra insurance against the surge hose sucking in air on a slow coolant leak and causing hot spots that can damage the head gaskets. i had my 3400 in my Chevy Venture van since new in 2002 and only have ~185,000 as of May 29, 2020

Hi, I had a new water pump and radiator flush. My vehicle was running fine now it's overheating. The radiator and spark plugs been replace. Help plz

Thank you, this has helped me a lot.

Thank you for sharing ....My friend just baught one i can hear loud ticking. As a friend ill share the info......A viewer from MEXICO......

I just purchased a 02 rendezvous and the only motors that is suppose to come in it is the 3400 but the intake cover says 3100 how can you tell the difference and are they interchangeable with transmission and everything

I wish I saw this before I changed my thermostat and water pump. Thank u

Dorman heater pipe- would you happen to know what that is? I have a 2000 pontiac grand am gt (black lol) it wouldnt let me leave a pic in the comments but i was wondering if it needed an O ring or somthin cuz i just push it in but it doesnt stay good enough then it starts leaking coolent. It looks like you just push it in but idk if i was missing a ring or somthin cuz it still will start to leak coolent. Very appreciated if you can help

Yep. Me too. To hell with Chevy Venture and the 3400 v6 engine. Everything said here was spot on. Be prepared for over heat problems and head gasket jobs. Iam junking mine. Just blew gaskets for the 2nd time in 2 years. Stalled on me about 5o ft from my house at a busy intersection. Had hazards on. Still got side swiped. Tore the whole passenger side to hell.

I know this video is years old, but maybe someone can help. 2000 silhouette. The low coolant light goes on and off but there's plenty in the reservoir and radiator. It wants to overheat when idle. No bubbles in the coolant reservoir. No white or milky junk in the oil or the cap. No white exhaust. This lead me to think the gaskets are fine. I'm thinking the thermostat stick closed or coolant temperature gauge might need to be replaced, or maybe there is a clog in the coolant system somewhere? Now I'm wondering if I missed something or there could be a different issue because you state that the thermostat going out isn't all that common. Is there anything else I should be looking for?

Why are the coolant fans not running on my 2000 Olds Sillouette Van 3.4 L ? Fuse 1 is good.

2000 olds sillette replaced cracked heater hose in the back of the engine. Now over heats. Do I need to bleed the system? Thermostat? Help please

Thank you for your videos. They are so helpful! I was wondering if you could identify something for me. I found a small metal tube sticking out of the back of the intake plenum on passenger side. It's right in front of the alternator on my 2002 Venture. It seemed to just have rubber cap over it which had a hole torn in it so I replaced it with another rubber cap. I was wondering if you knew what this tube is and what purpose it serves.

I don't know why I can't see my previous message. Anyway, what is the cable that you touch with your finger for in the min. 5:27? in my 2002 venture the right side cable is loose and I can't see the other part, which has a white plastic part. thanks

My 3400 ran hot for 2 years. I changed the thermostat now its perfect

I ran a direct wire and removed my thermostat put some blue devil and it's been running good for 2 years with no engine problems 2000 chevy malibu Ls 3100v6

we have an overheating problem on a 2001 impala 3400 ,fan do not come on unless the air is on,temperature gauge gets to halfway and two lines behind halfway ,when the car get hot the tramsission only shift one time causing the motor to idle very high please help

Wow I have been messing with my 97 Venture on and off forever! When it runs...IT RUNS!....I learned SO much from this one video about my Mertha...Do you recommend any sources that are HARD CORE Venture specific? New tuck is toooo expensive right now!

Hi need help.My A/C stared to blowing warm and not long after it was blowing warm air in the suv.Not to long after motor started to shaking .I check they oil it same clear.But the next day I start the suv buick rendez nous and it misfire and white smoke come out.It a 2005 buick rendez nous.Please help me

Thank you so much i have an 2003 alero & im dealing with this same problem again it ran hot but instead of getting a regular 3400 motor head i got an super charge. & it started over heating & misfiring so when i pour water into it its comes out the motor head.

Hi I have 2003 Chevy venture don’t know what going on but when I drive I have good heat and the temperature normal but when I park or wait for the red light the temperature gate go up hot and no heat. I put new radiator new water pump new cooling sensor new thermostat and still does the same thing I wonder it have to do with the head gasket please let me know thank you

I was changing the coolant temperature sensor in my 2001 malibu and the part that it screws into cracked around the sensor was wondering what the part name is it screws into

I've got a heap of a 1997 oldsmobile HELL-OH-ET with the 3400 engine and it is leaking coolant from the passenger side of the engine . I think it is coming out somewhere by the water pump or tensioner pulley assembly but i can't see for sure . I do know it's not coming from the radiator or the hoses. It's almost seeming to be accumulating on the face of the water pump pulley and getting spattered on to the radiator and the control arm etc , but it seems like it's barely accumulating when I'm parked and the engine is idling. I believe driving is when it leaks the worst due to there being alot of coolant in the areas i specified when i popped the hood to inspect the sweet coolant smell i smelt when we were driving it home . There is no coolant in the oil and no bubbles in the reservoir and the heater works great , i just replaced the temp. Control sensor and bled the system properly . If you have any suggestions my email is canjojohn02@gmail.com and i would appreciate any suggestions at all . Thank you , sincerely ,Rod

Hello. Thanks for your video. I recent ran my 3400 with low coolant and the engine overheated badly. I am now getting a P0303 code and the vehicle is idling very roughly and I cannot exceed 50km/h without the engine light flashing. I'm concerned I may have cracked the cyclinder ...any idea how I can go about troubleshooting? Thanks!

Thanks for the help mine just overheated today is there an easy way for me to test the thermostat to make sure it's not stuck?

I mixed the push rods up in the 3.1 v6 motor, the head closest the radiator from drive side to passenger side, what order do they go in?

Thanks for the great video.. at 2:05, when you're pointing out the intake temperature air sensor, there is a small 90 degree hose that also goes into the intake and is followed into a hole in the engine around back. it's fairly short, about 12 - 14 inches. Do you know what it's called and what it's for? I broke mine while removing the intake in the middle of winter and it was fairly brittle. I spliced it back together with a flexible clear braided PVC hose until I can find a part number. I'm hoping it's not damaging because it's also PVC. but I'm not driving the vehicle at the moment until I'm sure. Thanks for your help.

My 2005 3.4 buick rendezvous has a high idle problem do you know what I should look for? I already replaced the idle control valve and the coolent temp sensor.

Here's one for you: 2000 Silhouette 3.4 was overheating. Replaced t-stat because it was sticking. Purged air using a hose tee on the heater hoses and raising it above the rest of the system. Purge, fill, repeat until there was no air left to purge. Both fans operating. No white or otherwise unusual exhaust smoke. Engine ran great, heater was hot, temp gauge fluctuated but stayed generally in the middle. Took it on the highway for about 5 miles at 50-55 mph and began to hit the red zone. Tried using 3rd gear to accelerate coolant flow but that didn't seem to have an effect. Engine started to lose power as I pulled off highway. Slowly opened hose tee to see if there was air in there again, and there was a lot. Released steam slowly for about 5 minutes, then started it back up and drove it home. Had to release steam two more times to make it home. Possible diagnoses: 1.) Head gasket dumping exhaust into the coolant and pressurizing it, but if that were true wouldn't there be white exhaust smoke? 2.) Water pump not moving coolant fast enough and it's boiling. 3.) Radiator plugged with rust and Dex-Kill goo. 4.) I didn't really get all the air out.

I have a 2000 chevy venture van 3.4L and the idle has been getting steadily rougher for the past couple of months. I changed the sparks recently to fix a separate issue but I still have a dead spot when I first start the engine that lasts only 1 second before the engine kicks in again and idles. Anytime I am idling the engine is running rough and the temperature increases to 1/2 way and up to 3/4 now as well. Temp will decrease at normal speed limits. After watching your video and another one that specifically focused on my make and model, I am leaning towards thinking that this could be either an exhaust vacuum leak, a misfire or an intake manifold gasket issue. What would you recommend I do now? Thanks for your time!

i have a 2005 buick rendezvous 3.4 it seems to over heat after about 30 to 45 min. ive changed the temp. sensor thermostats. an the fans not to sure if my fans kick in properly when i turn ac on they seem to kick in with more speed oil is good no smoke comes out from the exhaust

New radiator could it be a head gasket

Ok so I am having trouble finding the bleed plug for coolant on the drivers side. All the videos i have watched show a plug on the passenger and driver side but those werent aleros same engine though. Is there really a second bleed plug on the driver side of the engine ? And just to clarify. The 2 cooling fans , do they both come on at the same time with 2 speeds or no. Because im going out to junk yard to get new fans. My mechanic couod actually feel that the motor wasnt moving right.

Im getting a P0300 code on my 1999 alero and i cant seem to find why

my upper and lower radiator hose are staying cold does that sound like hard gasket plenum gasket or thermostat had waterpump replaced unless it was faulty

Do you know much about traction active light and issues with front end, I put 2 new hub assemblies and new breaks , but when i turn sharp or stop while turning the wheel i hear grinding and when i start the car most often the traction active lights are on, they go on and off through a ride around town. Thanks any advice.

Mine has had the intake manifold and head gaskets redone. Not smoking and no coolant in oil. Also it's not running hot but I am losing coolant. I can fill up the radiator and start it up and drive it for 15-20 minutes and my low coolant light will come on. I've also changed that sensor as well. Heat works pretty constant. I also have virtually no pressure in the system as I can drive the car like I said and remove radiator cap no problem. Thoughts?

Working on a 05 grand am 3.4 and I have bled it over and over and still getting air bubbles , if I keep bleeding it it will be out of coolant , thinking head gasket maybe , any suggestions ? Thanks

Whats is the normal operating range on the temperature gauge. I am usually at the 11 oclock and 12 oclock in city driving. But around 1 on highway driving. Thank you for any information

Ive got the evap issue should i start with the evap solenoid over the gas tank or the part by the throttle body the o2 sensors are reading bad also figured that was because of the evap letting out bad emissions too much unburnt fuel the 3.1 liter 2002 buick century has 85,000 miles on it

It back fires and I have to press the gas hard to start it

03 impala 3.4. It has a fairly new spectra premium radiator from auto zone. I seen a leak for awhile of transmission fluid from the transmission cooler line. The end that goes into the radiator. I just changed the adapter with the horse shoe on it and still a small leak. Should I just claim my warranty thru auto zone or is this a easy fix?

I have a variable engine shut off its usually going down the road happens usually after going up a hill but not always I redid the heads a while back I thought it was a fuel issue but changed filter pressure was great. after it shuts off I pull over wait anywhere from 45secs to 5 mins it starts right back up. any ideas?

My alero olds mobile 3 .400 iput tomany parts and he stil. Miss fire cilinder 1 but i pull the spark plug out its oil an the spark plug some people said is the head gasket can't you answer my question please

I inheirited my mother's 03 rendezvos with the 3400 engine. It's never had anything done to it engine wise, just a ton of front brakes and wheel bearings. When I was bringing it home, the temp gauge flew up to hot and the bell went off and before I could pull over it dropped back down into the normal zone. coolant was low in the radiator about a quart and the overflow was down to where the hose wasn't in the fluid. I don't have any sign of coolant in the oil or any sign that I can find of coolant leak. I've seen a lot of videos on burping the cooling system. I'm hesitant to start tearing it apart without learning more. I also have no heat in the cabin, but tho the engine is at normal operating temp. The blower works on 1,2,4, and 5 and I've seen several people on here saying that heater controls have bad connections resulting in burned off contacts and there is a funny smell, kinda like something is burning. Got any advice for me? Or do you wanna buy a rendezvous cheap? lol

I drained my radiator to do a radiator flush because I found some sludge under the radiator cap and now it wants to overheat and it didn't before do you think it's because I have air trapped in the system or do you think the thermostat is bad from sludge buildup

Thank you for all the info. I have a 2003 olds alero with the 3400 and it has been overheating but it also has been throttleing on it own. I will be going 45 let off the gas and it stays at 45. So my wonderful mechanic first had me buy a water pump then the temp sensor and he was sending me to get a thermostat when i noticed that neither of tye fans where running and it was well above temp at this point. So i check fuses and cleaned relays but fans still dont work. What do u think. And i checked the oil cap and dip stick and do not see any white residue nor can i spot a leak when u showed to look. I truly appreciate your help.

Hey i have a question about over heating it doesnt over heat completly goes about 3 fourths of the way then goes back down once fans kick on but i believe i have a slow leak where the bleeder is mext to the water pump l.. What type of sealer should i use on that o ring

good morning Bud. I have an 04 olds silhouette with a 3400 motor and I'm reading 2 codes. 300 & 171 codes. I did an in house oil change and plug/wire change and oil pressure dropped. I have to little flared tip things at opposite corners of the upper intake manifold and they're sulking in air. are these supposed to be capped off or lead into some other intake hose? also, bank 1 code (171) is that an upstream o2 sensor? I changed out the oil pressure sensor already too. my car is riding ROUGH and as soon as I turn on the a/c I lose power. please help.

I have a 2002 pontiac montana with a 3400,replaced the thermostat and still over heating, and head gaskets are good next option is water pump any suggestions?

I'm having a problem with the 2000 Grand Am in no fluid off the coolant is disappearing in the gauges running close to hot I don't know what is it with the Pham is coming on and I have a tapping noise can you liberate on that for me thank you

my 2002 rendezvous has started shaking. what could it be causing it?

have 2000 impala with 3400. heatercore was bad so i bypassed it .(7-8 mos. ago). recently it has been overheating. water is not circulation too top of motor. took thermostat out. still no circulation. put in new thermostat and no change. builds pressure and pushes water out overflow tube. no sign of blown head gasket but does smoke a litttle when full of water. no water in oil and has good power. could it be waterpump

@Vacationtime247 I do not have enough heat, 2000 Montana Van, runs not more than 1/4 on the gauge scale, the heat is not HOT, just luke warm. Thoughts? otherwise it runs good

HI ,I got 04 3400 grant am - overheting -bubbles air to degas overflow tank - no cup on radiator (confuses me I like more the one like you have), I did the pressure test I got on all 6 plugs about 155 pressure ....so now wander if it is water pump or thermostat ..oil is clean ... any idea ? Thanks for coments in advance.

Vacation time, my 3.4 l8tr 2004 grand am overheats but the gauge doesn't reflect that. I believe the gauge works cause it move between 190-215 degrees. But steam is coming out from under my hood sometimes. What do you think?

Im pissing oil near a sensor above the starter and below the exhaust manifold on my 05 Equanox..have you seen this?

hey i put my 2002 aztek on diagnostic it says bad oxygen sensor which mines has two of them but how i know which one to replace i do know my car is burning a lot of fuel and it stalls out on me

i have a p0300 with a p0137 any ideas?

What is that hose you pointed to saying it can cause a vacuum leak

I have a 3100, it has no problem turning over but at the same time it vibrates roughly, any thoughts on what it might be? Thanks

I'm currently having an issue with my 2004 Chevy venture it over heats and goes from warn to hot when u get up to a certain speed

My Chevy Cruze 2014 LS Engine 1.8L 4 cyl HDOCHC(MFI) overheating egie light came on 2dys after being serviced 219/18 overheating message/ air conditioning won't work?changed 2 oxygen sensor n thermostat same problem. What can be wrong?

Have an 2003 Impala 3.4 liter over heating issue ofcourse changed out da thermostat but didnt resolve da problemTried bleeding out da cooling system cause on a youtube video one of da links said da system was pressurized..but as yu xplained in yur video on da 3400 engine there are 2bleeder valve one on gooseneck housing but da other as states on video never should be touched cause it will make yu have an all day headache..lol..but wat if yu never really can get water to come out of da bleedere valves..problem i am having now..so frustrated wit da Impala please help any suggestions are welcomed..thanks

I totally need help on my 2002 Buick Rendezvous on the gas needle don't work and

What causes my 2003 Monte Carlo ls 3400 engine to run high temperatures when I'm burning air and or even when I accelerate hard... It runs up but comes back down to normal and it has no pressure

Well the oil doesn't look milky so I don't think it's a head gasket but at idle when it starts getting hot coolant fluid wants to go out the over fill tube and at idle with Reservoir cap off it just starts bubbling have any ideas

So I have a 2002 aztek, replaced head and intake and valve cover gaskets, new plugs and wires and coil packs, and fuel pressure tested at 44 , so just wanting to verify that the pump is bad car doesn't start, , before I spend the money in getting one an

Hope for helping with temperature gauge going up changed the thermostat changed oil changed coolant sensor temperature still going up but dont overheat no white smoke please tell me what else can it be help

I did the water pump and tried bleeding out the from the valves and no luck it overheats but not always just sometimes

Quick question, the only time the radiator fans come on is when I turn on the a/c, don’t know for sure if they come on once the temperature reaches the 200 mark but it hasn’t went above the 200 mark yet. But is this normal or should the fans kick on and then off??

how does the coolent fan come out?

what is the senor under water pump and would that make oil leak

Hey my buddy replaced his thermostat in his overheating 2001 Buick century. Now when he tries to start it up it cranks but won't actually start then possibly a back fire or burp.. what should I look at first to address this? Probably occurred during poor mechanic work

Also the gas gauge goes to full then light comes on but it doesn't really read how much fuel is in the tank ! What would this problem be ?

I have a 2000 Malibu with the 3400 motor and I took it to a shop cause it was blowing water out of the spark plug holes any idea why that is

my 2000 grand am has 380,000 k .a vacuum lek somewhere can you help me . also my transmission slips slightly when at a stop and I give it mosley when it's hot but motor runs great lots of power

I tell you man those engines are a piece of work ,I drive a 03 Chevy venture sometimes drive me crazy

What causes air to constantly blow air out my bleeders... Nw I GT water coming out but my temp gauge still floats wen I get on the gas..help... No sign of a blow head gasket unless it a slight one. No bubbling back...no creamy milk looking stuff n my oil cap nothing idk help please it's needed

This type of problem. Would it cost your radiator cap to be hard to open up. My radiator cap is stuck and I can't get it open.

Just the front head gasket?

Hello. Basic cost to do the head gaskets and intake manifold gasket job ??? To help with overheating

I'm about to buy one of these cars from a co worker, it has no cabin heat at all, any idea?