1 is the radiator full ?
2 Add radiator cleaner and flush radiator after following instructions on the cleaner bottle.
3 Is radiator core blocked and not allowing cooling air to flow thru ?
4 Is fan belt slipping ?
5 Is water pump faulty ?
6 Take radiator to a specialist and have the tanks removed and the core rodded out and tanks refitted
7 Is the thermostat blocked or not opening and is it the correct one for your car?
check them one by one!
Do the fans work? With all this overheating your head gasket maybe be cooked.
Most of the time, fluid loss is as simple as replacing a $5 radiator cap & adding coolant. It could be other things, like those others suggested. But I always use the KISS principle--Keep It Simple Stupid.
The radiator or radiator hoses might be cracked or have leaks. Hoses are usually rubber or plastic and both materials start to deteriorate naturally after 5 years. The fact that you say that the water is getting sucked down sounds like you have a leaks somewhere because the vacuum effect. When you open the cap and the water gets sucked down, quickly look under the front of the car and see if any water is spilling or dripping to the ground.
In the mean time, if you still need to drive it and cant fix it, keep a gallon of water in the car at all times. At high speeds the ram air will cool the engine but still isnt sufficient over long periods of time. At stop and go you can turn on the cabin heat to help suck the hot air out from under the hood. if you leave this untreated for too long it will damage the engine and/or other component.
you need cooling flooid
One word: Mechanic. Guessing has a 100% failure rate as to repairing cars. It fails always.
Two possibilites: Air in the system or leaking headgasket.
I have a 2007 Chevy Equinox and it overheats both while at highway speed and stop and go. I take off the cap when hot (I know it sounds stupid) but I slowly open and let the steam out to cool it down faster. Once I take the cap off completely after the pressure has let up the water gets sucked down pretty quick and I have to put more water in it. Also if I squeeze the upper hose and move it around that also sucks water down as well. I recently replaced the water pump, thermostat, and rad cap. Still overheats Im out of ideas and need help!!!!
