Repair Topics / Cooling System-1 / Cooling System-2 / Cooling System-3

Car Cooling System Questions and Answers

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: 2000 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.

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.   My car is about 2 1/2 years old. 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.
 

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