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Question: 2004 Toyota Echo mileage:
49,042. I am asking you these questions out of
desperation. Right now, I feel that I'm being seriously
ripped off. The problem is I don't know anything about
how my car should be fixed - this is the first time I've
ever encountered anything major with a mechanic and I'm
being told that all they can do is begin replacing parts
and hopefully they'll find the right one. I'm on my own
and nobody I know has a clue about cars. Computers yes .
. .but cars, nada. Over the past two years, I have been
having a few major problems with my car. The main ones
are as follows: 1. Overheating 2. A rattling noise from
the engine when driving (sounds like a loose nut or
metal hose vibrating) 3. Battery constantly needing to
be recharged 4. Poor gas mileage In trying to get the
problems fixed the following has been done by three
different mechanics: - new fuel pump - new water pump -
new alternator (three times) - new fan motor - new
thermostat - new hoses (twice) - flushing the cooling
system (three times) - new battery (twice) - cleaning of
battery posts and connections (4 times) - new exhaust
system - tune-ups where they changed spark plugs,
checked all fluids, etc (4 times) Approximately 2 years
and $6,000.00 plus dollars later. . . The cooling
problem is still a problem. Especially on hot days when
I drive downtown in the city. It is as though the motor
doesn't pull in enough air to keep the motor cool. It's
to the point where if a mechanic replaces something and
the problem is still not fixed I ask for the old part to
be put back on and my money back. (This is not making
for a happy relationship with my mechanic - but . . .)
No one can find the source of the vibrating noise. I
have taken everything out of the car (glove compartment,
trunk, etc.) and the noise is still there - indicating
that it must be coming from the motor. I have checked
every nut and bolt, every hose connection, everything
that could possibly vibrate - and nothing. As for the
battery, again no one seems to be able to find the
problem. There is no slow electrical drain, the current
alternator is fine, and the battery and all connections
are clean. I've resorted to purchasing a battery charger
and hooking it up at least once every two weeks just to
ensure my battery is fully charged at all times. Still
getting poor gas mileage. I've been the only owner of
this car and I broke it in as per the manufacturers
recommendations (for the first 1000 miles. I've used
only unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 87 or
higher. I started getting poor gas mileage around the
time the car started overheating. I am on my 3rd
mechanic . . .and counting. Have you come across any of
these situations before?
Answer: Your overheating may be
caused by a partially plugged radiator. Replace the
radiator to repair problem. As far as the rattling noise
is concerned try checking the sway bar link rods, these
can give off hard to find rattles.
Question:
2003 Nissan Quest mileage: 35,000. Have over
heating problem, replaced water pump, radiator, and
rebuild head, flush engine. Over heating while driving
and while at idle.
Answer:
Try replacing the thermostat, reassemble and fill to
recheck system.
Question:
2003 Honda Civic mileage: 76,000. About two years
ago my timing belt went on my car. Ever since they
did it, I have been going through a lot of oil.
I noticed one day when I was checking the coolant level
that was ok. I have complained several times to
the mechanic and he said the fact that I am burning oil
was due to the timing belt. He said it was quite
normal. The other problem that happened after the
work was done is that my car was constantly overheating.
Now my car is going through coolant and oil like crazy.
I smell it burning and low power. I have always
maintained the car, but I made a mistake by replacing
the timing belt to late. Can you please give me
your advice on this problem? Thank you for your
time.
Answer:
From what you have described, you have a timing belt
that has been installed wrong. The cam is retarded or
advanced 1 or 2 teeth have it rechecked.
Question:
2002 Dodge Dakota mileage: 60,000. It is running
above normal temp. I have changed radiator, water
pump, hoses, thermostat, and I am not losing any water.
I have also pressure tested cooling system, cooling fan
has been changed to a 7 blade fan, took a compression
test and had 150 -160 all the way across except 2
cylinders which were 125 each. What else can
I do to fix this problem?
Answer:
Its sounds like your fan clutch has failed and needs
replacing.
Question:
2001 Nissan Sentra mileage: 40,600. We noticed the
car leaking antifreeze. We had the car checked,
but after the pressure test, there was no leak.
Four days later, the same thing happened. I would
like to change out the thermostat myself, but is this a
good idea? Is it fairly easy in this car?
Thanks in advance.
Answer:
Cooling system leaks are easy to find. Check the engine
and radiator for fresh coolant stains. Check the
water pump, hoses and intake gaskets or leaks.
And as far as how tough the job is, its like my Dad
always said (Bob) "it's just nut's and bolt's... not to
bad."
Question:
2002 Dodge Intrepid mileage: 70,000. Car is
overheating. Already changed out the thermostat
but is still overheating. Checked the tension of the
belt and seemed to be ok. Fluid levels are ok to.
I am running out of options. Any ideas?
Thanks Tom
Answer:
A partially plugged radiator may be causing your
problem. Replace radiator with new to correct the
problem.
Question:
2003 BMW 545i mileage: 80,528. After a few minutes
of driving the car, it will run hot. Checking
under the hood reveals antifreeze blowing out from near
the water pump. I checked the reserve bottle and
the anti freeze in there is still cold as if it is not
being circulated. There is no water in my
oil as I thought maybe the head gasket was gone.Answer:
From what you describe, your water pump is failing.
Replace water pump to repair problem, reassemble to
recheck system.
Question:
2002 Kia Sorento
mileage: 130,000.
My car seems to be overheating a lot. I think the
fan is damaged because this doesn't seem to be coming on
as well and I think that this might be the reason.
First Question: could this also be the thermostat?
Second Question: is this expensive to repair?
Third Question: how long should I allow this work to be
completed? One day? Fourth Question: Could
this be expensive?
Answer:
The thermostat does not control the fan. There is
a temperature sensor and relay that control it.
Also, check the fan motor, it may have failed. All
this should be able to be done in one day. The
cost is not to bad, just shop at eAutoPartStore.com for
low prices on top quality auto parts.
Question:
2002 Dodge Caravan mileage: 70,000. I placed a new
radiator and thermostat in my van. It has been
overheating, it still is overheating and I cannot figure
out why. Could it possibly be the water pump?
There are no leaks visible either.
Answer: Check the radiator cooling
fans, its sounds like they are malfunctioning. Replace
with new to repair problem.
Question:
2001 Honda Civic mileage: 105,500. My car is
overheating and my heater doesn't work. I have
gone to garages numerous times but they still don't fix
it.... The oil is fine. I know the
overheating is related to the heater but I don't know
what’s the problem. I don't know if this helps but
when it overheats (about ten minutes of driving) the
right side of the engine above the belts is the part
that is hot.
Answer:
You have a stuck thermostat, replace it with new to
repair problem. Recheck system.
Question:
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
mileage: 77,000. I put new thermostat and water
pump with hoses. When I drive, I feel heat coming
in where the floor, on the instrument panel, I have
radiator arrow coming from 220 to 240, and then it
climbs over. What is a possible cause for such a
thing? What can you tell me where to look?
No leaks.
Answer:
Its sounds like your radiator is plugged and need
replacement.
Question: 2004 Toyota Camry
mileage: 44,550. My car started running hotter than
normal, so I was going to check and replace the
thermostat. Instead my husband was kind enough to change
it for me, the thermostat was not functioning. It still
is running hotter than usual and I noticed that the
electric fan is not coming on. I checked the fan and it
works. I have changed the fan relay #1 and the
temperature switch and the fan is still not coming on.
What should I do/check next?
Answer: It sounds like you need to replace
your radiator cooling fans.
Question: 2002 Audi A4 Quattro
mileage: 82,000. My car will be driving normally then a
sudden increase in temperature occurs then overheating.
I wonder whether the thermostat is stuck in the closed
position. I have just started to use the heater. That’s
working ok.
Answer: It sounds like you have a
plugged radiator or a cooling fan that is not operating
properly. Trouble shoot to repair or replace as needed.
Question: 2000
Nissan Altima, mileage: 102,000. I noticed my water
temperature gauge was getting too high so I figured I
should put anti-freeze in the radiator and that plastic
jug next to it to cool it down some. After doing that
the same day (I let the car cool down while I was at
work for 8 hrs.) It still shows the gauge way up there
in the red after just a few minutes of driving. The
gauge isn’t broken because it does fluctuate from hot to
really hot. What else could it be?? Thanks in advance!
Answer: First
thing to check or replace would be the thermostat.
Replace thermostat with new to recheck system.
Question: 2001 Saturn SL2,
mileage: 60,000. When I drive this car more than 4
miles, the needle gauge always goes to hot. A friend of
mine already changed the thermostat and it still does
the same thing. What other factors contribute to this
problem? What should be done?
Answer: It's sounds like your
radiator is plugged and needs to be replaced. |
