Wife overheated the 2005. . .

[strad]

5.3 Engine is about 5 months old. Professionally installed Jasper engine with a warranty. I do not know how long she ran it hot, because she wasn't watching the temperature gauge. She did say it was pegged when she finally looked at it. I do know that when I arrived, the drain plug was missing from the radiator. We had it towed to our house because the shop where the engine was installed is closed for the weekend.

It is showing a P1258 code. It had no codes before this happened. I know this code is an overheat code and puts the engine into survival mode.

I don't plant to touch it before the mechanic who installed the engine looks at it. I did start it for about 20 seconds to get it into my driveway after the tow truck dropped it in the street. It started normally and ran fine.

But how screwed am I likely to be?

 

[wjburken]

5.3 Engine is about 5 months old. Professionally installed Jasper engine with a warranty. I do not know how long she ran it hot, because she wasn't watching the temperature gauge. She did say it was pegged when she finally looked at it. I do know that when I arrived, the drain plug was missing from the radiator. We had it towed to our house because the shop where the engine was installed is closed for the weekend.

It is showing a P1258 code. It had no codes before this happened. I know this code is an overheat code and puts the engine into survival mode.

I don't plant to touch it before the mechanic who installed the engine looks at it. I did start it for about 20 seconds to get it into my driveway after the tow truck dropped it in the street. It started normally and ran fine.

But how screwed am I likely to be?

If when you drove into the drive way, it seemed fine, you have an 80% chance of being ok.

 

[iamdub]

I agree with Wade. IIRC, the PCM will peg out the gauge to get your attention. It doesn't mean the coolant actually reached 260 degrees. Replace the plug (petcock?), refill and burp the system and cross your nuts for good luck.

 

[S33k3r]

And take the keys away from your wife.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you are not seeing white smoke out the tailpipe when you refill and run the engine, then is likely ok. But you need to find the source of the problem if the radiator drain plug was not it. If it hold a pressure test after full drive it and watch carefully for that gauge to act up. You should also replace the thermostat anytime you overheat an engine. Also, Jasper typically puts heat sensitive tabs on that engine that will show if it got hot enough to melt them and that is their way of covering their asses for a problem like this, if you try for a warranty claim of any kind. Good luck with everything.

 

[OR VietVet]

And take the keys away from your wife.

She may fight you on this. Be prepared.

 

[Fless]

She will fight you on this. No way to be prepared.

FYP

 

[strad]

Update: Radiator side tank has a three inch long crack on the left side below the upper radiator hose connection. There was some coolant left in the radiator. Not sure about the engine. So I'm going to do the obvious thing and replace the radiator since I got it out in about a half hour. Helps that I previously did a radiator on another GMT 800 with a crack in the same location. The drain plug was not missing after all. But the truth still is that it did get overheated. So fingers crossed.

 

[Doubeleive]

eh if it only overheated once you'll be fine, replace the radiator, fill it up drive it away. if it really overheated much she would have felt a noticeable loss of power, I think in 03+ they made them so they will shut down before any real damage happens or it will start blowing bells and whistles at you.

 

[OR VietVet]

You do what you are going to do but I still say the thermostat should be done at the same time. IMO