earler today when i was driving my car to my parents i started to smell my coolant. when i pulled into their drive way i turned off my car and white smoke started comming in through the ac vents. then it started makeing a noise like it was over heating even though the gage didnt say it was over heating and it was leaking the coolant from behind the engine really fast. what do you think is wrong with it?
2006-11-26 16:13:59 · 12 answers · asked by baby_cakes_2758 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If I blew a head gasket I dont want to have to take it in. i think i may want to get a new vehicle bc it cost alot to get that repaired. its a 95. so if its something big like that do you think i should get another car?
2006-11-26 16:25:45 · update #1
The car is probably not a gonner - YET! May cost a bit to repair, but there is hope, depending on whether you drove very long with this happening. As far as the guage is concerned, if the leak was a fast leak, and none of the hot water was reaching the temperature sensor on the motor, you could have an overheat type situation and still have a good guage. To get the white smoke to come through the vents, 2 things would have to be happening at the same time. First, the coolant would have to be getting on the motor and second, you would have to have the vents open to where outside air would be coming in. Now, let's think about the components of the cooling system. You have the radiator, engine, heater core, and the radiator hoses (upper and lower) and the heater hoses (two of those as well - inlet and outlet). You mention the location of the leak seemed to be behind the engine. Front and rear wheel drive cars are a bit different in a lot of respects, so I am going to have to do a bit of assuming here. If it is coming from behind the engine, and it is a fast leak, then the most likely scenario would be a busted heater hose. However, that may not be the case. It could be a freeze plug leaking and that would cause a fast leak at the back of the engine. Or it could even be a bad heater core. But if the heater core were leaking, your floor would have a large wet spot on the passenger side. Without actually seeing the car, all of us giving you answers are basically guessing at what is wrong. Educated guesses, mind you, but guesses nonetheless. As one suggested, have the car TOWED to the repair shop. If you don't the car will be a gonner for sure! Now, let's talk the options should it run into a big dollar repair. If it is, then you more than likely would be better off getting a later model car. However, if it is a big dollar fix, and you don't get it fixed, then the trade in value for the car is almost nil. And if you do spend the money for a big dollar fix so that the car has better trade in value, you might just as well drive the car for awhile longer, huh?! A lot of it too depends on the overall condition of the rest of the car. If it is a rusty car with bad interior, then if you run into a high dollar repair, then I would say, yes. Call the junk yard and let them come get that one and go get another car. If it is a car that say has been in the family, and been kept in good condition, then it would be your call to make as to how much you want to spend on the repairs. And I fully understand your dilema. Been there. Done that. I've been a car guy most of my life and it is still a hard call to make. Good luck in whatever you decide.
2006-11-26 16:43:43 · answer #1 · answered by pygmybilly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you blew a gaskett or heater hose blew. the car has a chance. you need to take it in and they will have to look it over. The gage is bad if the temp gauge didn't move. don't start the car. get it towed.
2006-11-26 16:18:38 · answer #2 · answered by guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have a coolant leak, possible heater core leak. Relax, the car's not junk yet.
2006-11-26 16:18:15 · answer #3 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi,,i own a repair shop,and its either blown a heater hose on it or has a heater core busted on it,,but they way you described it,,it sounds like it may have just blown a heater hose,there not bad to put on but id have it checked out real good to be sure,you don't want this happening to you that much this winter ,but have a good mechanic look it over real good ,and then you,ll know for sure,it shouldn't be an expensive repair to have done,,good luck,i hope this will help.
2006-11-26 16:23:34 · answer #4 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a heater hose blew or the heatercore itself is leaking. have it towed to a shop, dont drive it you could overheat badly and end up with some very costly repairs.
2006-11-26 16:22:42 · answer #5 · answered by whatup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ive blown a few heater cores and you just described it perfectly. They are really easy to bypass if you are low on cash, you just wont have a heater. I have done my own in about 20 min and for just a few bucks.
2006-11-26 18:24:43 · answer #6 · answered by ♥monamarie♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have a bad heater core.Your windows fogged up on the inside correct.The reason your temp gauge didn't work is because it has to have water to make it work.No water no work.
Your motor is probably ok.
2006-11-26 16:20:19 · answer #7 · answered by George K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a technique of removal maximum inexpensive determination first the two the battery is knackered or the alternator isn't charging. replace whichever is maximum inexpensive first or have somebody examine the output of the alternater. with a motor vehicle that previous it may additionally be a mix of the two i propose changing the battery and having the alternator overhauled
2016-10-13 04:38:15 · answer #8 · answered by lipton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have a leak in the pipes. Get it checked out.
2006-11-26 16:21:23 · answer #9 · answered by SGK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you ask question about car problems, it is helpful to include the MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, and MILEAGE.
Many have typical problems at certain mileage or close to it, but we can only guess when you don't have sense enough to tell us these things.
2006-11-26 16:35:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋