About every three months my car's heat gauge goes out of wack. It ranges from cold to almost hot (hasn't gone past the too hot point) in seconds and kinda osciliates. When that happens I check my coolant level and find it is low, I then fill it up and it's fine for a couple months then the cycle continues. What does this mean? What should I do? It doesn't seem like a huge issue, but surely it is indicative of a larger issue. Thanks! I have a 2001 6 cylinder Mazda 626.
2006-11-22 01:45:55 · 15 answers · asked by Lisa 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Replace the hose.
2006-11-22 01:51:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Go to a reputable service garage and ask them to do a pressure check on your system. Call ahead, I don't recall if they charge for this or not. Prob'ly, though. This check could help locate the source of the leak and then you can find out how much it costs to fix it. Sometimes it's a bad hose and can be fixed for around $5-$10. Sometimes it more. Sometimes it's time to trade in the car and let someone else worry about it.
Do it soon. As you said, it could mean big trouble down the line. If so, who do you want to pay for those repairs. I vote... the next guy.
2006-11-22 01:50:52 · answer #2 · answered by PunkPanther 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
slow antifreeze leak?
About every three months my car's heat gauge goes out of wack. It ranges from cold to almost hot (hasn't gone past the too hot point) in seconds and kinda osciliates. When that happens I check my coolant level and find it is low, I then fill it up and it's fine for a couple months...
2015-08-06 07:15:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If when your driving the vehicle there seems to be a small amount of steam coming out you have an internal gasket leak more than likely. The leak would be small at the rate that you explain; however, it will not fix itself and will cost a large amount of money. If you can see any visable leaks from the radiator, hoses, water pump, thermostat housing they are simpler and less cost fixes.
2006-11-22 01:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My coolant light comes on about every 2 months.
I top it up with coolant.
It's quick and I doubt it costs as much as having the leak identified & fixed.
In both our cases, it may just be a leaky gasket. But the labour charges can be steep.
Using "Stop-leak" (see above) is a dicey solution. It may or may not work and it will clog the cooling system and make it less efficient, rather like colesterol in the arteries.
Also, when the day comes to get it fixed, the mechanic is going to charge a fortune to get the system clear again.
2006-11-22 01:49:21 · answer #5 · answered by Up your Maslow 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You might have a hose leak or even a seam leak on the radiator where a weld is. Take it in and have a tech check it for you. One thing to have the check too, is the thermostat. They are a fairly inexpensive and make life miserable if left unchecked.
2006-11-22 01:51:03 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A small leak in the radiator or hose. Bring it to a mechanic to have it replaced. It may blow one of these days when you are driving and not near home which will cause a break down.
2006-11-22 01:54:26 · answer #7 · answered by Snuffy Smith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you go to an auto parts store, even Walmart and buy something that's called "stop-leak." They have different stop-leaks for different parts of the car like transmission and so on so look for the one that for the radiator. If that doesn't help then you should take the car in to get it looked at. Good luck.
2006-11-22 01:49:12 · answer #8 · answered by acehernandez2006 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Probable causes:
leak in hose.
needs a new thermostat.
needs a new radiator cap (have it pressure tested, coolant may be evaporating slowly.
I am thinking the cap may be the culprit. The cooling system is a sealed system. If the cap is bad, it can cause water to evaporate slowly.
2006-11-22 01:51:33 · answer #9 · answered by Dog Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This problem is most likely a blown head gasket. I spent $2300.00 to fix this on an '99 Oldsmobile V-6 once. I kept taking it back for a similar problem as yours, then on the fourth trip to the dealer.....It was actually an intake manifold leak. sorry to explain what is due to you...............Good luck
2006-11-22 01:50:51 · answer #10 · answered by djtzclark 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it could be the radiatior or one of the hoses it could also be a gasket. if you do not have the cash for a mechanic i would go to pep boys or r&s strauss and purchase something called "radiator sealant" you put that inside your radiator with some coolant and the micro sealant particles gravitate to the leak and clog it fixing your problem.
2006-11-22 01:50:23 · answer #11 · answered by nycnaughtyboy 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋