Car runs bad after about five minutes warming up?

Question

Yesterday, after driving for about 30 minutes, my engine started making tapping, rattling noises, smoking, leaking what I think was coolant.

After walking to get some oil, I decided to check the oil dipstick. Well the oil was just fine. Maybe a little overfull, since I dumped half a quart in before thinking to check the level.

The next thing I did was start the (cooled) engine. It ran great! ... For about five minutes. It started the noisy, smoky routine again. I also noticed a quiet sort of high pitch sound that lasted for about ten seconds. The pitch of the sound increased and then stopped. It made the sound more than once.

It was a long trip home, driving 5 minutes, stopping and cooling for 20-30 minutes, then driving 5 more minutes, etc.

On the long trip home, I noticed that even though the engine was steaming hot, the temperature guage was saying that it was cold. The heater didn't seem to be working either.

What's causing this, and how might I fix it?

Answer 1

The reason that the gauge was not showing hot is because there must be coolant in the engine for the coolant to measure. If there isn't any, there isn't any to measure, and by the time there is enough heat transfer from the engine block to the sender to show hot, there is major engine damage.
There is a good chance that you have developed a leak somewhere, or that you have blown a head gasket.
When the engine is cool, add water to the full level. Leave the cap off and start the car, allow it to warm up and look for dripping under the car while you wait.
If there is no dripping observed, check the floor under the heater core. If it is wet, and feels a bit slimy, the heater core has blown.
If you can see dripping, locate and repair the cause.
If there is no other place for the coolant to leak, watch the coolant in the radiator (you left the cap off). If it is foamy, you have a blown gasket or a cracked head. If not, check that the upper hose is warm. If the engine has had time to fully warm up, but the upper hose is cool, the thermostat has failed, and needs replacement.

Happy Motoring

Answer 2

First of, once you warmth the motor vehicle up for that length of time, it facilitates the oil interior the engine to warmth up, which in turn enable the motor vehicle to run a best purchase extra ideal, truly in chilly situations. also in maximum automobiles, there are frequently 2 intakes for the coolant. the first should be the radiator and second should be the overflow tank, whick is the plastic field the position you're probable including the fluid. by no skill correct off the overflow tank, because at the same time as the radiator receives warm and needs to get rid of a few of that coolant, the overflow tank will be too finished to take the the relax which in turn reason leaks via pressure. desire this facilitates you out.

Answer 3

Broken thermostat. I'm talking about the actual thermostat and not the gauge as everyone likes to refer to that as. You said the unit was reading cold, even though your car was obviously overheating and actually due to the stress and pressure caused by the overheated coolant trapped in the engine block, you may have blow your head gasket, not to mention some other important seals. Nothing was wrong with your oil. But if you need a list of things that possibly went wrong and another one for possible damaged parts, here they are.

possibly broken and caused problem:
-Faulty thermostat not allowing circulation of cold coolant into the engine from the radiator.

possibly damaged and may pose more problems:
-Damaged heater core
-Blown head gasket
-seals to coolant hoses broken or damaged
-damage to the engine block itself due to intense heat
-possible damage to hoses themselves if pressure was released
-possible damage to radiator core if pressure was released
-scorched cylinders (less likely)
-damage to intake and exhaust valves
-if majority of heat was dissipated thru exhaust, then components of that system may be compromised
-fuses mounted near the engine, in the engine compartment, due to intense heat
-warped piston rings

Thats about all i can think of that has a possiblity of having been damaged, some more than others. Lets hope that it wasnt that bad though.

Answer 4

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Blown head gasket. Your car is going to die. The gasket can be replaced but it is quite expensive. It could be a cracked engine block which means the engine is all done. Or it cold be a warped head which can be replaced ($$$$$$$) In any case, you are looking at a lot of money so you need to decide if your car is worth it or if it's time to scrap it. There are other things it could be but I'd say you need to get it to a mechanic and get a professional opinion.

Answer 5

it sounds like it may have gotten a little hot,,this will cause what happened to it,,you may need to have it checked real good,,its very possible you may have a blown head gasket on it,,causing this to happen,,or another issue with it heating up,either way id have it looked at,,good luck hope this help,s.

Answer 6

Your gauge is broken, check the water level, if this is ok then its the thermostat or your water pump thats out.