Overheating at 100,00 miles. Open radiator cap to find thick, rusty orange-colored sludge. Replace lower heater hose which had no visible, or detectable hole. Flush radiator, refill w/ dex-cool. Overheats again, mechanic said rusty sludge is clogging radiator. Flush again and refill w/ dex-cool. Still smell antifreeze upon exit of warm car.
1996 GMC Jimmy: engine overheating
5 of the 407 complaints about the 1996 GMC Jimmy describe engine overheating.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Engine overheating by model year
What owners say
My 1996 gmc jimmy began blowing cold air last winter. We had the radiator flushed and refilled with dexcool. The company told us the dexcool had turned to a sludge and damaged the thermostat. The thermostat was replaced as well. Six months later we have had to have the radiator flushed again because of overheating in the summer. Again the fluid had turned to sludge and we have to get the thermostat replaced again. It appears from what I have been reading that the entire system will have to be replaced soon because of these dexcool issues.
Vehicle overheats, then stalls at any speed/ any time. Dealer has flushed cooling system, did not remedy problem. Please add further details.
Vehicle was overheating because cooling system is not working properly. Dealer indicated rust was in radiator. Contacted dealer.
Engine check light illuminated on dashboard, and vehicle overheated. Consumer opened radiator cap and noticed thick muddy rusty liquid inside. Consumer has yet to contact a dealer. Please provide any further details.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine and engine cooling
- Rattle noise in engine
- Subject regarding rust in cooling system, heater inoperative, blows cold air, engine overheats (flush...
- Some vehicles may exhibit an exhaust noise, rattle noise at 550 RPM
- Some customers may comment that the heater is inoperative, blows cold air, engine may exhibit an overheat...
- Conditions with heater inoperative, blows cold air, engine overheats, and rust in the coolant system
- Engine rough, miss, and oxygen sensor dtc's (replace oxygen sensor jumper harness)
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1996 GMC Jimmy overheating
Is engine overheating a common problem on the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
5 of 407 owner complaints about the 1996 GMC Jimmy (1%) mention engine overheating. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 GMC Jimmy?
There are 0 recalls and 13 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 GMC Jimmy
ABS 71Wipers 61Brake failure 40Ball joint 38No deployment 13Fire or smoke 8Grinding brakes 6Check engine light 6Stalling 5
VIN decoder
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