overheating car but sufficient coolant

[Maria87]

Hi,

I just inherited a 1995 Plymouth Acclaim. It's great to drive, but lately the 'check gages' light has come on and the temperature gauge needle indicates that it's hot.

A while ago, i killed the battery (left the lights on ) and that's when the light came on infrequently, but it used to go up and down when i was driving, so i disregarded it. I also filled up the coolant and it appeared to be fine.

Now, the light is continuously high and i've never seen the needle at that much past hot. The engine is also making a weird sound whenever I press on the gas pedal, kind of like a grating sound but it's really hard to describe.

Does anyone know what the problem is and how i could fix it? If not, can some recommend a good mechanic/auto shop that would be good at fixing it?

Thanks for all your help

[ercchry]

thermostat or head gasket

[Altezza]

Check your water pump.

[Maria87]

where's a good place to get those fixed?

[Grogador]

air bubble

[revelations]

Are you driving around the highway a lot, or do you drive in the city?

If you notice that your car is cool on the highway but heats up when youre idling, chances are good that your electric fan is done (assuming your car has one).

[crapstixs]

the flutcuating temperature gauge and coolant usage, to me is pointing towards a head gasket. is this the 4 cylinder or the 6? i know the 4's are bad for hg. how much do you like this car? repairs like this usally take these cars off the road.

[bourge73]

Pm me if you want advise on where to get it fixed.

[Jsen-DC2]

if it goes "hot" while you sit in traffic. and cools down to operating temp while you start driving. it could be your thermostat stuck partially closed. i had that problem awhile ago