Overheating problems on Protege 98

[Student]

Hi,

I have an overheating problem with my Mazda Protégé 98.
It has never been overheating before, and a month ago I noticed that there is no coolant in the coolant reservoir. I have no idea for how long I was driving with it being empty, but the car never overheated (the temperature gauge never went above the half) although I am driving with AC on in Southern California. I bought coolant and was adding it there as necessary, but it was obviously leaking pretty strong (again, the car didn’t overheat).
Anyways, I took the car to the mechanics to fix the leak and he did the following (I paid $580 !!!):
1) Changed water pump (G3000-121661) (he said it was the problem)
2) Changed valve Cover Gasket
3) Drained cooling system.
4) Tested thermostat, inspected the cooling fan, pressure check system (everything was fine).
5) Changed timing belt

But after about 300 miles the car overheated (temperature gauge went up) while I was going uphill on the freeway with AC on. I stopped the car and the coolant in the coolant reservoir was boiling. I waited for some time, until it cooled a bit and then finished my trip (about 50 miles more).
The car now drives fine (drove another 400 miles after that), but the temperature gauge goes at about 3/4 height after about 45 mins of driving, then it sometimes goes back to 1/2 and up to 3/4 again, depending on driving conditions. When going uphill heats even more, but if I turn on the heating, it cools a bit and climbs uphill. It does not overheat in traffic. I saw that both cooling fan and AC condenser fan work fine.
What could be the problem? I am not a mechanics, but are there easy fix?

P.S.

Anybody wants to buy this car? Other than the above problem it drives fine. Also I had 4 new tires installed about 400 miles ago. The car is white Mazda protégé 1998 with 116900 miles and AC works. I am asking $2000 and I am located in Irvine, CA and it is registered till 03/2010.

[3ni_tricksta]

dude you got robbed by that mechanic;
i could imagine a busted thermostat hose; or broken thermostat...
and he did all that unncessary crap for u

[E'sFactory]

You know what, Im having this happen with my '95 LX with a 1st Gen GTX motor....

The same description...

I think that one upgrade that can be done to any car whether its a simple daily or not is the hard silicone hoses for the radiator.

I dont know if silicone hoses are available for the Protege DOHC BP engine though...

Im in the process of changing out the water pump in my car to see if it solves the issue.

Best of luck to you.

[Student]

You know what, Im having this happen with my '95 LX with a 1st Gen GTX motor....

The same description...

I think that one upgrade that can be done to any car whether its a simple daily or not is the hard silicone hoses for the radiator.

I dont know if silicone hoses are available for the Protege DOHC BP engine though...

Im in the process of changing out the water pump in my car to see if it solves the issue.

Best of luck to you.

Good luck to you too.
I took the car to the mechanics today and he said that perhaps it is the thermostat got stuck closed.
He is about to change it, I hope it will solve the problem.
I'll let you know how that goes.

[3ni_tricksta]

thermostat is a cake fix;
i did mine a few months ago
$7 for thermostat
.50cent gasket

and i had some half and half lieing around.. to top up the fluids

[gybe]

sorry for off-topic - did you use a geniune thermostat gasket which is made of steel or use the paper one that came with the thermostat?

[3ni_tricksta]

welll i shudn't have $7; cuz that's my discounted price
but it was the stant one

"STANT SUPERSTAT BOXED THERMOSTAT -- 180%XB0 F, A Direct Fit OE Replacement, Made Of High Strength Stainless Steel Assembly, Offers A Heavy Duty Thermostat For Passenger Cars And Light Trucks, Bright Finished And Corrosion Resistant, Features Patented Features Patented V-Notch Non Linear Design That Reduces Cycling By Precisely Metering There Amount Of Coolant Needed, Offers Proper Engine Temperature Control, Reduces Oil Consumption, And Improved Fuel Economy And Emission"

the NTC were out of stock;and i was in a rush..
and i bought the gasket seperately for 50cents;

[E'sFactory]

**** you know what, thats exactly what ima do...
swap out the disconnected thermostat and go back to normal
and see what happens before i go and screw myself swapping out the water pump for no reason...

[Student]

The problem remained

The thermostat replacement didn't solve the problem
As before, it didn't overheat immediately, but after about 45 minutes of driving, especially when going uphill it starts overheating ((

Any ideas?

[Henchman]

I want to say blockage or air pocket in the coolant.

You need to take it back to that mechanic and tell him that he did not do his job properly.

[Student]

I took it back to that mechanics again.
He was very puzzled and said that he might redo the water pump..
He said that it looks like the coolant is not circulating properly. Again the water pump and thermostat are new.

Can be the head gasket blown? I didn't notice any loss of power. And the mechanics says that it is not likely too.

[3ni_tricksta]

if your headgasket wuz blown; u'd see coolant bubbling off ur rad top..
and you'd smell it..
and you'd be smoking chimneys.. atleast smell it

[Student]

When I first noticed the problem it got very hot (temp gauge all the way to the top) and the coolant in the coolant reservoir was boiling.
Is that it?

if your headgasket wuz blown; u'd see coolant bubbling off ur rad top..
and you'd smell it..
and you'd be smoking chimneys.. atleast smell it

[3ni_tricksta]

don't jump to conclusions;
is the coolant at proper level; lack of air can cause problem; or air in the system.
timing outta sync;
something in the cooling system is not working fine; as u said maybe the waterpump;
but yes cud also be the headgasket;
but do u see ne of the other signs i gave for headgasket;

[Student]

Thanks for your response.
No, I do not see any signs which you gave for headgasket ...