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Question: 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
mileage: 82,000. My
car started running hotter than usual for about
a week followed by an occasional leak from the
driver’s side of the radiator. I put in some
stop-leak and the problem went away temporarily.
Then the car over-heated. I took it to a local
service garage. They replaced the radiator and
thermostat. I told them the car has specific
servicing instructions for the cooling system.
They told me it was done correctly. However,
after the work was done the car got a low
coolant light. I took it back they purged the
system and got some air out. Then it did it
again. When I run the car cold, it overheats. I
stop it, it makes a gurgling sound, and when I
start it the next time, it runs at normal
temperature until the car is cold again. Do you
think this is because they have not serviced the
cooling system correctly? On the other hand, do
you think this could be because of a different
problem? If so what?
Answer: Your described symptoms
suggest a blown
head gasket. However first, examine the
entire cooling system for leaks and then check
the intake manifold gaskets.
Question: 1999 Chevrolet
Lumina, miles: 89,990 I bought the car a week
ago. I note that there are 2 fans for it, one
for the AC which works when I start the AC, and
the second one is the ordinary. But I note that
it is not starting directly and maybe it still
stop for a time, can you tell me if there is a
special system for the fan and what is the
normal temperature for the car when the AC is
off (the weather is too hot in Kuwait in the
summer) with my regards.
Answer: It sounds as if the
radiator fans are working properly. One radiator
fan will automatically come on when the engine
temperature approaches 220 F and it will shut
off at approximately 200 F. The radiator fan
that comes on with the air-conditioner will stay
on all the time that the air-conditioner is on.
Question: 1995 Plymouth
Grand Voyager 3.3 mileage: 76,000. I drained and
flushed the coolant from the van. When I
attempted to add fresh coolant, the fluid won't
flow past the overflow tank. My Haynes manual
says that the engine vent plug must be loosened
first. I can't find it. The plug is not where it
is shown in the manual diagram. Where can I find
this plug? Is there any other way to get the
coolant past the overflow tank into the radiator
and engine? I started the engine briefly, and
that did not help.
Answer: Open the radiator
cap that is located in front of the radiator -
slightly hidden. Your engine may not be equipped
with a vent plug.
Question: 2002 Chevy
Cavalier mileage: 59,000. Is it common for a
Chevy with only 59,000 miles to have a freeze
plug go bad? It's the plug on the back of the
engine between the transmission. A very costly
repair. Do you know of any service bulletins or
recalls?
Answer: It is not common to
have a freeze plug fail. The coolant should be
changed every two to three years as it does
break down over time and becomes corrosive. We
do not know of any relevant service bulletins or
recalls.
Question: 2002 Infiniti M45
mileage: 65,000. I have been struggling with a
cooling problem for 3+ years - new thermostat, rodded radiator (didn't need it), new water pump
(leaking-but problem existed before and after
water pump replaced) electric fan operates
perfectly. New radiator cap runs hotter when AC
is on or stopped in traffic. NOTE: I am not
losing any coolant. Now it's also running hotter
even in winter months. How do I know if I have
exhaust in coolant? Or, how do I know if
catalytic converter is clogged. P.S. I had
transmission rebuilt and I am using an external
cooler for the transmission (again this cooling
problem existed before and after transmission
was rebuilt I will get a magnetic thermometer to
put on radiator cap to check temp. at radiator
VS temp gauge on dash. Thanks for your website.
Zula
Answer: Most auto parts
stores sell a kit to test for exhaust in the
cooling system. To test for a plugged converter,
drill a small hole in the exhaust pipe right
before the catalytic converter. Install a
temporary hose fitting and attach a long rubber
hose and a 0 to 10 pound pressure gauge. With
the gauge inside the car, drive up a hill or
accelerate and read the pressure. Normal is 2 to
3 pounds, restricted 4 pounds or higher.
Question:
2004 Honda Accord mileage: 35,000.
I need to replace the thermostat in my
Honda accord and I want to know the difference
between them.
You can purchase 170 degree, 180 degree,
and 192-degree thermostats.
What is the difference between these, and
which one is the best for my car.
I drive my car only in the summer months.
Answer:
The difference in the thermostats is the
temperature at which they open allowing coolant
to flow into the radiator.
We would suggest installing a 192�
thermostat because that is the original factory
specification.
This is necessary for all of your
computer engine management systems to work
properly.
Question:
1997 Geo Tracker mileage: 43,000. I took
it to the shop for its 30,000-mile service.
I was told that the radiator is leaking.
Is this a common problem for these cars?
I was also told that a new radiator would
cost about $1600!
Is this true?
Answer: The radiator in a
three-year-old car would normally not fail.
The price that you were quoted, $1600.00,
appears to be out-of-line based on the
information you have provided us.
Question:
2003 Dodge Stratus ES mileage: 65,000.
Can't seem to get to/locate the drain for
the radiator to change the antifreeze.
The bumper extends beyond the radiator
underneath and obstructs it.
Don't want to pay to have it done.
Any clues?
Also, I have a whine in the power
steering which I hear is common among them.
Fluid is full.
Any help?
Last but not least, I can see the front 3
spark plugs to change, but I have the
side-sitting (V-6, 2.8L) and can't seem to
locate/get to the back three.
What do you think?
Answer:
The radiator drain is located on the bottom of
the radiator.
If you are unable to easily locate it,
try removing the bottom radiator hose as a
second way to drain the cooling system.
The power steer pump noise may be caused
by a failing pump – check it out.
The back three spark plugs are difficult
to change; we suggest doing this with the engine
cold.
Question:
2003 Ford Focus mileage: 73,000.
When I first start my Tempo in the
morning it sounds like water running somewhere
and I can smell anti-freeze.
I checked my anti-freeze level it is ok.
Answer:
The water running sound that you hear is
probably caused by air in the cooling system.
As the air and coolant go through the
heater core, it will make the sound you
described.
The anti-freeze that you smell is
probably from a leaky heater core.
You mentioned that you checked the
anti-freeze level and it was okay.
Was this done in the radiator or in the
over flow reservoir?
The radiator
should be checked, ice cold and full of coolant.
Question:
2003 Ford T-Bird mileage: 56,000.
The problem I had was the temperature
gauge would fluctuate going very fast to hot,
stay for a minute or so then back to cold very
fast. Mechanic
changed thermostat.
It worked for about a day, took it back
to Mechanic three times with the same problem.
Each time he changed the thermostat.
This happened about three times.
Finally, he installed thermostat for a
turbo charged 3.8 engine.
The car now takes a long time to heat up.
Do you have any knowledge of what is
going on with this car?
My mechanic is at a loss...does not know
what else to do.
He even consulted with the Ford people.
If you have any explanation on this, it
would be very greatly appreciated.
Answer:
Check for air in the cooling systems and check
the radiator cap to see that it is working
properly (pulls coolant from overflow tank when
engine cools).
Also, check the water
pump impellor as we have found the impellors
sometimes fail or corrode away resulting in
insufficient coolant flow.
Question:
2002 Chrysler Concord mileage: 57,000.
I can't find where the radiator cooling
fan switch is located. The parts store computer
says location unavailable.
It is probably right in front of me, but
I cannot find it.
Any information would be appreciated.
Answer:
The radiator cooling
fan switch is located in the bottom radiator
tank.
Question:
1999 Suzuki Swift DOHC mileage: 53,000.
Hi.
A few nights ago, I noticed the temporary
gauge in my Swift was not moving at all.
The car had heat.
I thought the gauge or sending unit had
failed. The
next morning I did not have much heat either.
I now suspected a thermostat stuck open.
Today I replaced the thermostat.
I started the car and let it warm up a
bit. The
gauge did not move as normal but it did register
some temperature.
I went for a short drive and found the
gauge showing cooler temperatures as I drove.
Obviously, the problem was not fixed yet.
The upper radiator hose was warm as were
the hoses to the heater core.
The lower radiator hose, which branches
off from the heater hoses, was cool.
I do not believe the coolant is low
because I topped off the radiator after changing
the thermostat, though I will triple check.
I do not see any leaks from the water
pump or any noise.
What else is there?
Hoses plugged up?
Answer: Make sure the
thermostat is the proper heat range for your
car. Your
replacement may be too low a temperature.
Question:
1999 Dodge Durango mileage: 88,000.
I just bought this car and I noticed that
the antifreeze was a light brownish rust color
should I have the radiator flush or just replace
it?
Answer:
The reddish-brown color indicates
that your coolant has broken down chemically.
Flush the cooling system and refill with
new coolant.
Question:
2002 Ford Taurus mileage: 76,000.
Is there a bleeder valve to remove air
from the cooling system?
If so, where is it located?
Answer: The radiator
cap if functioning properly, will bleed the
air out of the cooling system. MORE: Cooling system questions
Repair Topics / Cooling
System-1 / Cooling
System-2 / Cooling
System-3
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