Car Problem

disneyjoe7

Ok so my other question does the hoses get really hard? If the system can generate 14 - 17psi the hose will be HARD, if not you have a leak. Also a blown head gasket may also give you bobbles in the water flow of the radiator just when the thermostat opened, something else to check for.

PS you're quickly running out of thing to check may need a pro at this point.

BTW have you had the radiator ever serviced fluid change? I think even old fluid could cause this, but I would change out thermostat also if you decide to do that.

Serendipity

audiobliss wrote: »

Yeah, I did. Sorry I haven't taken time to reply to it yet.

Basically, I don't know enough to really be able to give you any more advice. I'd personally say stay away from rental cars. I'd imagine they'd be beat to death.

I guess you're right, although used rental cars seem like a good deal.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Ok so my other question does the hoses get really hard? If the system can generate 14 - 17psi the hose will be HARD, if not you have a leak. Also a blown head gasket may also give you bobbles in the water flow of the radiator just when the thermostat opened, something else to check for.

PS you're quickly running out of thing to check may need a pro at this point.

BTW have you had the radiator ever serviced fluid change? I think even old fluid could cause this, but I would change out thermostat also if you decide to do that.

Yes, the hoses get really hard.

Never ever had a fluid change, I think THAT might be the problem.

Finally narrowing things down here...

Serendipity

Turned out to be just old coolant. In addition to idling in gear in Manhattan traffic that day for a LONG time.

Learned a few lessons here - change coolant as part of preventive maintenance so that it stays fresh... and when stuck in traffic for more than 20-30 minutes it's best to put the car in Neutral. So that there is no load on the engine and it won't overheat.

Again, thanks for all your help!

- Alex

disneyjoe7

Old coolant looses it stuff and the whole thing turns more into water acid. Water without antifreeze as a much lower boiling point, also the boiling point is raised when pressurized. That's why I kept pushing you on does the hoses get hard.

All in all happy you got it fixed, and you learned something in the end. Sweeeet.

dorokusai

I would have removed the license plates and tossed a WillyP inside.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Old coolant looses it stuff and the whole thing turns more into water acid. Water without antifreeze as a much lower boiling point, also the boiling point is raised when pressurized. That's why I kept pushing you on does the hoses get hard.

All in all happy you got it fixed, and you learned something in the end. Sweeeet.

I'm happy it's fixed too.

Really appreciated all your help!

RuSsMaN

appadv wrote: »

Attached is a picture of the coolant level. It's much higher than I have ever seen before, and over the MAX mark.

Does this tell you what's wrong?

To rewind the thread a half dozen posts, the coolant looks brown. Brown is bad. It's not the new black, no matter what the **** forum members say, its BAAAAAAAAD (my best sheep imitation).

Start with a system flush and fill, and have them check the thermostat and water pump while they do it (probably for free). I've never seen a radiator clog unless someone was dumping a ton of stop leak (or eggs) in it.

Cheers,
Russ

Serendipity

RuSsMaN wrote: »

To rewind the thread a half dozen posts, the coolant looks brown. Brown is bad. It's not the new black, no matter what the **** forum members say, its BAAAAAAAAD (my best sheep imitation).

Start with a system flush and fill, and have them check the thermostat and water pump while they do it (probably for free). I've never seen a radiator clog unless someone was dumping a ton of stop leak (or eggs) in it.

Cheers,
Russ

Yup, you're right, it was the coolant.

But the problem only showed up when idling for close to an hour...

You'd think it would show up 100% of the time.