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kingjim9
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Dec 10, 2007, 3:17 PM
Post #1 of 10
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Overheating Issue
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Ok took my car to a mechanic after it overheated and lost all the fluid in the resovior. He said there wasn't a leak. He said that fluid boiled over in the resovior and came out. What would cause this?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 10, 2007, 5:27 PM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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You overheated! That's what would cause this! It blew out coolant from the engine/radiator and overflowed the reservoir. When it cooled it drew back what was in the reservoir so it would be empty.
You have to determine the cause of the original overheating. It may not have been a leak. .... Late or no fan, stuck thermostat, plugged radiator etc.,
T
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kingjim9
User
Dec 11, 2007, 4:38 PM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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Do you think the heater core could be the cause. Cuz it seems like each winter is when it starts acting up. In regards to everything else (radiator, water pump, hoses, fan, & head gasket) are all less than 2 years old. Just not sure if the core would have anything to do with this.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 11, 2007, 4:58 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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What kind of car is this anyway? If you are having cooling system problems in the cooler months it may be because the electric fan doesn't work and may be fine when triggered by use of air conditioning. The heater core can play a big role in the cooling system but it would still be worse in warmer weather and you should be complaining of poor heat or no heat. When boiling occurs the heater won't throw heat so you have to know just what's really up with the cooling system.
Again - what kind of car? Year, make , model and engine,
T
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kingjim9
User
Dec 12, 2007, 1:32 PM
Post #5 of 10
(1345 views)
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Re: Overheating Issue
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its a 1994 Plymouth Acclaim with a 4 cylinder 2.5L engine. And the heat in the vehicle is horrible (it only works on defrost, and you have to shut it completly down turn the temp setting all the way to cool then back up to hot for it to actually produce heat) I've taken it to mechanics before and they've never said anything about that (thats when basically the rest of the cooling system was replaced before someone actually figured out that it was the head gasket) I've also been told that these cars like to blow their head gaskets pretty frequently not sure if thats true or not. I've also been told that there is a 90 degree bend in the heater core hose but the mechanic wouldn't recommend replacing that. (its not just one person whos told me that, mabey i just have bad luck getting people to honestly tell me whats going wrong thats why i figured about asking you guys)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 12, 2007, 2:49 PM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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What's with the heater hose? If a 90 degree bend is needed then the hose should be made (moulded) to accomodate that. If just looks kinked like a garden hose might do then it has to be replaced with the right one. In some cars the heater is part of the by-pass of the cooling system and it would be erratic if flow couldn't get thru properly. I don't know if that is one of those without a good look.
Poor heat could be the controls and not the cooling system itself. Since both are misbahaving it does make me wonder if there's a link there.
Head gasket are more sensitive in lots of cars than a million years ago. Just one good overheat can wipe them out. This would be one of those,
T
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kingjim9
User
Dec 12, 2007, 6:51 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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do you think it might be worth it to replace the heater core then? I talked to a mechanic at a local shop a little while ago about this and he said that, that wouldn't be it but to be honest with you i think our shops around here give answers based on dollar signs.
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Dec 12, 2007, 9:42 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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I think your local guys are trying to save you alot of dollars. Have you priced a heater core lately ? Not to mention the cost of pulling the dashboard out and then replacing it. A lot of hours.
I had a old Reliant that overheated. It turned out to be the heater valve. It's a plastic part that mounted just off the firewall. Just to the left of the master cylinder. It had the 2 hoses from the core going into it and 1 hose from the radiator. Does your Acclaim have one ?
Otherwise it sounds like the thermostat that Tom suggested.
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Dec 12, 2007, 9:45 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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Oh, btw, It's the Neon's that are famous for blowing head gaskets. Approx. every 30,000 miles
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 13, 2007, 2:21 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: Overheating Issue
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To add: If heater uses a water flow control valve it will be listed as a part for the car. A heater core is cheap - getting to it is not cheap. No heater core should be replaced without diagnosing that it needs it. Flush it out and if it can't flow both ways that would be a good reason or if it leaked. Most will flush out. When partially plugged you would usually get consistant poor heat and probably much warmer air with low fan vs high fan.
You may want to start a new thread on this stating just where you are now. As threads get this long they get lost in space,
T
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