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Question: 2004 Pontiac Aztec mileage: 61,000. Hello!
I have an ongoing situation I hope you can help me and my mechanic with!
The problem involves the heating/cooling/temperature system. I have had a
lot of work done to it, including replacing the water pump, the thermostat multiple
times, the radiator cap, flushes, etc. (The air temperature sensor and the
serpentine belt were also recently replaced--not sure if this is related--and I
think I am out of Freon--not sure if this is related either, but I don't want to
leave anything important out.) In my latest round of repairs, my car was running
very hot, and was leaking coolant, progressively worse, from a small occasional
leak to the point where it was dumping out 3+ quarts a day. They found hole
in a hose near the back and repaired it. Now, my car doesn't leak, but the
temperature gauge is fluctuating wildly, all the way to the top and back down almost
all the way. The heater is blowing, at best, cool air, and sometimes it is
cold. This also happened the last time that it was fixed in December.At
that time, I pulled over, let the car cool down, took off the radiator cap, and
when I put it back on and kept driving, the temperature gauge did not fluctuate
anymore, but the heater did not work at that time either. I assumed
that the car had some kind of air bubble and just needed to "burp", for lack of
a nicer term. It kind of got to the point where everything was okay, it was
running a little warmer than I liked but the heater was working, but then the latest
round of problems started. After the latest repair, I tried taking the cap
off again and letting it "burp", but the problem isn't improving. My mechanic
went ahead and put in a new thermostat. Could the problem involve the head gasket
and/or damage to that part, or do you think it could be something else? I
have been told by a couple of mechanics now that Sunbirds the age of mine had trouble
with faulty gaskets or something to that effect. Is this the case? Also,
do you have a very rough, ballpark idea about what repair might run? I have
already had approximately 3-4 repairs of a different nature for this problem, and
I am in such a bad position, because while I can't afford to keep putting money
into this car, I can't afford to buy another one either. I appreciate your
help very much!
Answer: Check for a blown head gasket, pressure test the cooling system
for any leaks and flow check the radiator, as it may need to be replaced.
Question: 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 V-8 mileage: 60,000. I'm getting
a low engine coolant light on my dash lighting up. I've followed the directions
to put coolant in. Bled the two valves etc, poured in coolant, ran the engine,
etc. But I'm still getting the low light on in the dash. The radiator
is filled to the brim. Maybe I'm not bleeding the valves correctly.
I don't see a leak; the car is clean underneath. Is there something special
to do to add coolant in a Z-28? Thanks
Answer: It sounds like you have properly refilled your cooling system.
A faulty coolant level sensor may cause the problem you have with the warning light
being on.
Question: 2003 Toyota Camry CE mileage: 39,000. I cannot find the
stopcock to drain the coolant from the radiator. Where is it? I have
looked everywhere!
Answer: It should be located on the bottom of the radiator
tank. It may be easier for you to drain your cooling system by removing the
bottom radiator hose from the radiator.
Question: 2003 Toyota mileage: 20,000. Is it necessary to flush
the radiator if there have been no signs of overheating or other problem?
If so, how often? Does the anti-freeze lose its properties over time?
Answer: Yes, it is a good practice to flush the cooling system
every two years. Coolant does lose its properties over time. Preventative
maintenance is good practice.
Question: 2002 Ford Focus mileage: 70,000. I noticed one day that I had
a radiator leak, which was promptly sealed. Two days later, the engine heated
up causing vapor. Thermostat and radiator fan, thermo sensor exchanged.
Thermostat was stuck and the sensor did not activate the fan. I have a smoke
problem now. The engine needs to be hot for the smoke to show itself.
It appears from under the hood on the driver's side, when I stop at a traffic light,
Lasts about 10 seconds and everything is back to normal (no smoke at all).
I have tried looking under the hood immediately to see where it came from, but it's
quite difficult Because the fan is blowing all the time dispersing the smoke all
over the place. The smoke (looks like smoke) smells a bit acrid. Checked for
any electric problem, none. I thought it might be an exhaust problem, so I
stopped the car and covered the tailpipe with my shoe for a couple of seconds, which
resulted in smoke from under the hood and disappeared 10 seconds afterwards (tried
twice. with the same result). The problem is getting on my nerves, so if you
have any tip/advice I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks in advance.
Answer: Without actually “seeing” your vehicle and driving it, it
is difficult to diagnose the problem. We are guessing at the smoke may be
hot coolant leaking, turning to steam. What did you use to “seal” the radiator?
It may have plugged up the coolant passages in the engine causing more overheating.
A radiator service center should be able to check it out and recommend repairs.
Question: 2002 Oldsmobile Alero mileage: 70,000. Removed radiator cap
and found oil mixed in the water inside the radiator, I suspect a blown head gasket,
what do you think?
Answer: That is a possibility but if your car is equipped with an automatic
transmission, the transmission cooler in the radiator may have failed. That is a
more likely cause of your problem.
Question: 2001 Honda Accord, miles 84,000. I noticed a small crack near
the top of my radiator where radiator fluid has been slowly leaking out for the
last two months. The car has not ever had a problem with overheating since I have
owned it. Is there some way to seal it or does the radiator need to be replaced.
What can cause a crack to happen and what is a reasonable price for repair?
Answer: The radiator needs to be replaced. The tank is plastic and they
do crack due to stress and vibration. Replace the whole new radiator to avoid further
repairs on the same radiator.
Question: 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, miles 67,000 that overheats when driving
slow or sitting at a stoplight, yet temp gauge is cool when driving 60+. It has
the quad 4 engine. Since January different mechanics have replaced three thermostats,
two radiator caps, flushed radiator and put new tanks on the side of radiator, and
the timing chain. We are at a loss. Every time we take it to a repair shop, and
explain what we have done to it, they assure us they can find the problem and lo
and behold, we pick up the car to find another new thermostat put in. No one is
solving this problem. I am wondering if it is a cracked head gasket or heater core--but
my main concern is how do I get a mechanic to find out what is wrong so we can fix
it. I would be thrilled to have an honest answer. Thanks in advance.
Answer: You could have a cracked head or blown head gasket.
Your car is equipped with an electric radiator fan. A sensor on the motor and a
relay controls it. One or both may have failed. With the car parked and the engine
idling, the fan should cycle on and off as the engine temperature rises. (Keep fingers
clear.) Another possibility is the water pump. We have seen the veins on the impeller
rot off. This causes very low coolant circulation at low speed.
Question: I have a 1999 Lincoln Continental with 85,000 miles
on it. Occasionally I will find some coolant under the car; it does not leak a lot.
I checked all hoses, water pump and radiator but could not find any leak but I do
see the timing chain cover is wet. Can you help me to solve this problem?
Answer: A leaking intake manifold gasket or timing chain
cover gasket may be causing your coolant problem. Occasionally the chain cover corrodes
and leaks.
MORE: Cooling system questions
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