Running Hot Need Some Advice

[bowserb]

First off, I want to let people know this is not a truck its an 01 Buick century. My current daily driver it was inherited by my brother and I and he will soon have it for his last 2 yrs of college as I have done the past 2.

 

I am about 4-8 weeks out from my new silverado/sierra w/t......

 

However, I know what a good site this is, and know there are some good mechanics, dealer techs, and owners of malibus, centurys, regals, and other 2000 range mid size GM's so I was hoping I could post here.

 

I already posted this on buickforums.com but the site is not as frequented or has as much advice or knowledge as you guys do, so I thought I would post this just for some ideas.

 

 

Thanks in advance for all the help!!!

 

So right around 20k when I got it about 2 yrs ago, I had the coolant flushed and refilled. Now this brownish film has started to film above the coolant in the reservoir, but now some is in the coolant itself, I hope just lingering at the top?

 

The last couple days its been running warm. I checked the fans they kick on, the oil is ok, the trans fluid is still dark red, the coolant looks red but looks like that brown residue is on the top.

 

When I am driving it seems to be fine, but at stop lights or in traffic, it goes past half on the temp gauge and I know it usually stays a little before.

 

I should also say one day, I drove around till warmed up and it was still blowing out cold air while warmed up for a good 5 mins then the heat just kicked in?

 

Its a 2001 with 40,800 miles, I don't drive it hard.

 

Thoughts?

There is no leakage underneath.

 

I was thinking, the radiator?, water pump (but no leaking), thermostat?

 

Anyone else have ideas? Clogged radiator? Rust/Corrosion?

[Stevens03]

I'd start with the simple parts first. Replace the thermostat and then replace the radiator fluid. If you still have a problem, then I'd look into replacing the water pump.

 

Steven