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Car Engine Over Heating Condition and Coolant Loss - This category contains
featured questions as examples. They relate to most vehicles.
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.
MORE: Car over heating questions
Repair Topics /
Engine Over Heating-1
/ Engine Over Heating-2
/ Engine Over Heating-3
/ Engine Over Heating-4
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