Every time I take the car out for a drive, the engine gets super hot within about 30 minutes of driving it. Then it starts leaking out all the water from the radiator. One time, I went for more than 30 minutes driving without stopping and I guess the radiator threw out all the water the engine was starting to produce smoke. I had to wait like 2 hours for the car to cool down and place water in the radiator so I could get back out on the road again. Any advice?
2007-01-02 04:59:28 · 10 answers · asked by Adriana R 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You either have:
A) A leaky radiator
B) A leaky radiator hose
C) A bad water pump
D) A frieze plug popped out.
E) A blown head gasket.
If it is the radiator, you can try to plug the leak, but you are better off just replacing the radiator--sometimes they get clogged up and don't work like they should--that sounds like what might be happening.
If it is one of the hoses, replace it.
If it is the water pump, replace it.
Frieze plugs are little slugs of metal that are used to plug the holes where they drain the sand out of the block (the sand creates the voids in the casting that become the water jacket, etc) sometimes these will leak or pop out when it gets hot--they make replacements that are made of rubber with a screw on them that makes them expand out. (There is one behind the motor mount on at least one side--it'll make you think you cracked the block until you take the motor mount off).
If your head gasket is blown, then you will need to replace it, and hope that your heads and engine are still good. This will cause it to blow steam out one (or both) tailpipes, plus it will lose power.
You might also check your thermostat--they can get stuck. Flush the cooling system really well, and put a new thermostat in and see if it still happens. If not, it's probably one of the other things.
I'm just about to replace my belt-driven fan with an electric one. I'm not going to get fancy--just grab one from a junk yard and wire it to a switch so I can flip it on when it's sitting (my '65 mustang usually doesn't even get that hot when its cruising down the road).
2007-01-02 05:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by superfunkmasta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether you plan in repairing it yourself or not here are a couple of things you can do in the driveway.
I'm assuming that the car still runs properly before it overheats.
If any of this makes you uncomfortable or nervouse spend your time looking for a good mechanic who wants to work on your car. (you should do this anyway)
Buy both the Haynes and Chilton manuals. Two opinions are better than one.
1. Make sure you are using the proper coolant/water ratio (50/50)
2. Inspect all the coolant lines for signs of leaking or damage. Repair as nessasarry.
3. With hood open open radiator cap and start engine. (do not attempt this on later model pressurised systems) The thermostat will be closed. As the car warms (a few minutes)you should notice that antifrezze will begin moving through the radiator, Put the cap on. (thermostat is working)
Antifreeze will overflow before the thermostat is fully open. If this does not happen. The thermostat or waterpump has failed.
4. If it takes thirty minutes of driving to overheat it should be steaming in under 15 in the driveway. With the hood open you will notice the signs of over heating much sooner, you will smell/ see antifreeze (steam). Shut it off at the first sign of overheating.
5. Shut it down and watch. You may get some overflow in the overflow bottle. If so replace the cap. If the cap is holding then pressure is leaking somewhere else reinspect lines and radiator.
6. Replace/repair leaky part.
7. A better idea is to pick up a coolant system presuriser, hook it up and look for the leaks. This will protect against the possibility of damaging the engine due to overheating.
7. After repairs are made have the system thoughly flushed.
8. Enjoy your Mustang.
Keep the shiny up!
P.S. This should be a basic bolt on/bolt off type repair that can be done with basic hand tools. This may be a good time to get up close and personal with your Mustang.
2007-01-02 07:22:03 · answer #2 · answered by Fuzz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kind of need more information but what has been posted so far is a good start. Also replace your radiator cap with a new one. On the top of the cap it should say something like "16lbs" what ever that number is, make sure that the replacement is the same number. Without going into a long winded explanation, people often overlook the importance of a properly functioning radiator cap. There is probably more to the problem than just the cap in this case but a $7 cap could solve the problem, depends where the coolant is actually leaking from
2007-01-02 05:16:45 · answer #3 · answered by 65stang 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have probably destroyed your engine, or are well on the way to doing so.
It seems your very basic problem stems from a failed thermostat, failed waterpump or both.
My suggestion to you is to first get your car to a reputable mechanic for necessary repairs.
My second suggestion to you is to get the Chilton and/or Haynes repair manuals for your mustang and read them over thuroughly. These manuals give great info on general maintenance and symptom diagnosis.
Your car has been telling you it has a problem from the day it started overheating. Your course of action in the future is to get a problem fixed before it's is costly rather than ignoring or band-aiding it and hoping for the best.
Hope this info helps.
2007-01-02 05:06:26 · answer #4 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
youve either got a hole in your radiator or a bad thermostat or perhaps a bad head gasket. i had a 65 galaxie 500 and the spnap ring holding the wirst pin in the #6 cylinder popped out and wore a hole in the cylinder wall causing all the water to drain into the crankcase. you might start it and see and mae damn sure your oil is not milky. other than that id start at the thermo
2007-01-02 05:10:31 · answer #5 · answered by Hsoftail 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibilities from most likely to least likely...
1.) thermostat is stuck closed... replace thermostat.
2.) radiator is hopelessly clogged... replace radiator.
3.) head gasket is blown...
4.) radiator fluid is in the oil...
5.) the rings, pistons, and cylinder walls are screwed from severe overheating...
Does this help any?
2007-01-02 05:09:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a circulation problem. Take it to a shop and have the thermostat replaced, and have them check to be sure the water is circulating.
2007-01-02 05:05:14 · answer #7 · answered by jerrycarr99029 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chevy Impala
2016-05-23 06:36:07 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first ck if your engine fan can spin freely with engine OFF.
second, replace thermostat.
2007-01-02 05:03:45 · answer #9 · answered by sleepydo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thermostat, thermostat,thermostat......get it checked, maybe even replace it!!!!!
2007-01-02 05:04:12 · answer #10 · answered by lightbulblady1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋