Ok, I have 2001 Kia Sportage 4WD with 107K on it. Ok during the winter months I had a squealing noise only when i accelarated over 70 miles an hour or climbing up a ramp onto a highway. I had belts changed and still makes the noise, so now it's summer, I decided after 2 months of not driving it, started it up and was going down the street last week and the temp button almost hit H, and then the fan kicked in. (i didn't have the AC running on it either), and then continued to ride it for a week. Today I went about 30 miles or so and ran the air conditioner on the highway and fan kicked in the whole time. Got into town and then the temp button went up to H again. I turned off the air and the temp still woulnd't come down. So I shut the car off and let it sit. About 15 min I started it up and them temp went back down and I heard the fan. As I got into more city traffic (no a/c running) it started again, but then when I took off it kicked in. It continued to do this the whole time (i then started to smell antifreeze)but when it got just before H, it kicked in again. I tried to find the overflow tank (i think it's the little one connected with 2 hoses on each side) and coudln't see anything it, antifreeze was a little low, but no spills or leaks found on ground. Any help would be great? Is it the fan (cuz it was squealing and still does vaguely) or the switch or anything else I might be missing?

I do all my own work, I have replaced the head gasket, o3 sensors, brakes and little stuff, but need help since I am a single mom with little money.

Thank you

You can private me also if you would like. I need to get this fixed ASAP since I drive 52 miles 1 way to a job and rely on this not breaking down on the highway!

Hopefully it didn't cook the motor. My hot gauges wait till about 240 before they get over 1/2 way up.
Sounds like the fan clutch is a possibility.
You may also have a sticky thermostat that is causing the overheating problem. They are pretty easy to change (3 bolts) and pretty cheap (about $6). They should have changed the thermostat when the head work was done...<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
I have a spare fan clutch that I would let go cheap if you decide that it is the problem. I just took it off and was working great before I pulled it.
PM me if you're interested.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Ok doing thermo stat, putting a little antifreeze/water mix in, and gonna try it out tomorrow! I hope it's just that. And I knew better to shut the car off before it overheated. It never hit H in full, so glad for that. Fan always finally kicked in just in time. But will keep an eye on it

hey there Kelly, what do you mean the fan kicks in ? if you don't have the A/C on the front fans should not come on. the one on the motor side should always be turn with the engine running, it does have a clutch on it. some times the bi-metal spring on the clutch fan brakes loose and falls out, with the engine off! reach in front of the fan you should feel a coiled spring. if it is missing then you need to replace the clutch fan. Everet is right it could also be the thermastat.

John

Hey Everet, I had mine hit the H last year it was missing the coiled spring, no over heating with the one I put on, but wish I would have went eletric, the autozone one is loud.

I think what she is hearing is the fan clutch engaging and the noise of the rush of air when fan is working. If that is the case, then it sounds like the clutch may have some issues too if the thermostat is ok.
Hope it works out.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Guys there is an optimistic side..

Since it went 2 timew in the red hot area and the head gasket seems to be intakt
wouldnt you say that the instument itself just goes bananas?????

fokion Kelly smell's antifreeze when it goes in the red, I hate the reservoir as I think some of you do also. that little plastic gage the curl's up lol. I don't know what temp is needed to have the bi-metal spring on the clutch fan to tighten up and pull the fan around, I know it turns all the time because of the alt-belt but just how much fast with the coil/bi-metal spring helping.

Ok, I replaced the thermostat, and it ran fine in parked, a/c was on and it was fine. Then when i started to drive it, it went up, and never came down. I am trying to figure out the fan thing and coil thing? Is it the fan in front(looks like a little house fan) or the huge fan in back? And if I am standing the front of the car do I feel left or right? and about how big is this coil? Thanks for your help!

the clutch fan is the large fan on the engine side, the alt. belt drives it, it has a large fan on it and the fan is inside the large shroud. if you reach around the fan there is a bi-metal spring the size of a .50 cent piece in the center of the fan it needs to be there.