1993 Dodge Intrepid why me?

MARY MARTIN

MEMBER
1993 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
137,404 MILES

My car stalls frequently, I keep up on regular oil changes, but I know my car needs a tune-up. Smoke rolling inside my car, I cant see or breathe. I checked my dip stik and fluids look good. When I step on gas the engine revs up but car does not move. Front end shakes, cant drive on freeway. Im going through tires like crazy. I am aware of my radiater leak, I stopped it up with something I bought at repair store to get me by. I check water fluids regularly. However, I am concerned whith what else I can do to my car. Is it worth fixing or is my car on the last limb? Please help me I am a single mom of 3 and a student, I dont know what else to do.

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 AT 11:06 AM

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi:
The smoke in the car. Does it smell like coolant or like something burning? AS far as the chatter when you pull out, does it go away?

Try to be as specific as you can.

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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 AT 1:22 PM

MARY MARTIN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It smells as if there is something burning, the chatters does not go away.

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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 AT 10:43 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

My first thought was a bad heater core causing the smoke inside, but if it smells like something is burning, you need to have it looked at by a certified mechanic. The smoke worries me of a potential fire and I don't want to take too much time trying to determe the problem without seeing it.

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Thursday, April 30th, 2009 AT 2:54 PM

THEONLYTJ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I was told today during my trip to the parts store for my cooling issue that the "Stop Leak" stuff that these stores sell are only good for temporary fixes so you can make it to the Auto Shop but not for much longer. The coolant many times needs to be flushed from the system prior to use and this warning isnt too big on the back of the little bottles.
The reason its only temporary is that the chemical that stops the leaks gets clogged in the heater core. If it gets clogged then the unit itself could overheat and malfunction or cause smoke in the cabin.
Hopefully this helps you out. I ask myself the 'why me' question all the time.
I've drivin my car 200,000 miles and still haven't found the light at the end of my tunnel.
Good Luck

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Friday, June 5th, 2009 AT 12:17 PM

FAUK

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I just had a similar issue with my intrepid, the problem was that the glue that seals the 'upper coolant housing' came loose and was spraying coolant all over the place, which would cause the smoke and the burning smell, also would explain any stalls you might have been having because there's a sensor that wont allow your vehicle to start without coolant in the system. The part is roughly $100 and is a bit of a pain to replace. I'm including a photo of the part, start your vehicle and check this part to see if you see any leakage, even if its just the slightest amount its probably your issue.