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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:
1998 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:
2004 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.
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