A few weeks ago, my car was leaking antifreeze. I used stop leak and it stopped leaking. The other day, someone flagged me down while driving to tell me that water was leaking out the back of my car. I stopped at a gas station to check my radiator, and I could see antifreeze in the radiator and the plastic bottle that you put water in was over-full. I started to put water in the radiator because I didn't know what else TO do, and a guy walked up to me and started talking to me. He said that it sounds like I have a "cracked head". He said it would be very expensive to fix. I don't have another car to drive, OR the money to fix it right now. The temp is about 210...what is considered HOT? Does it have to be in the red area to be considered hot or is it hot before then? Can I still drive this car and just keep putting in water and/or antifreeze until I can afford to fix it?
2007-04-10 13:03:34 · 11 answers · asked by Hope 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well, it's a matter of how much you want to spend...IF there is a cracked head, or head gasket leak, and coolant is getting in your oil pan (milky white foamy look), then the price goes way farther up when you damage your engine further...
So, don't drive it, simple as that...
$800-$1000 now maybe, or $1800-$2400 later...
The point is, get it checked out now.
2007-04-10 13:14:41 · answer #1 · answered by Michael B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently had a radiator leak myself, and I suggest fix it now!! The longer you wait the more damage you will be causing your car. An unfixed cracked head (if that is what it turns out to be) can turn into buying a new motor. That's expensive. If you cant afford to fix it right now consider public transportation (if available) or maybe put the expense on a credit card or try to get a short term loan. Whatever you solution I would NOT advise driving your car. I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear but it will save you money in the long run.
2007-04-10 13:09:57 · answer #2 · answered by meona 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check your oil. A cracked head will let coolant into the oil, making it milky. If the oil is OK, check the weap hole on your water pump and for cracked/worn radiator/heater hoses. If those are good, you are probably overheating because your water pump is shot or you thermostat is stuck closed. When your engine got too hot, it filled up your overflow bottle until it "overflowed". Check your thermostat operation by doing the following:
Start cold engine and watch temp gauge
as the temp rises to thermostat opening temp
when the thermostat opens, you will see a sudden drop in the temperature gauge and it will rise back up.
If that test works, (wear gloves) squeeze your upper radiator hose after the thermostat is open. Squeeze hard and when you let go, you should feel a surge of coolant. If that test works, have your system flushed. It should be like $50 to have that done.
2007-04-10 13:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by Brainyass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the coolant level is full in the radiator itself, and not just the plastic overflow reservoir. Maybe the thermostat. The thermostat keeps the coolant temperature regulated. As the engine warms up from a cold start, the temp gage needle should rise to about halfway or 3/4 or whatever is normal for your car, and then stay within a narrow range of variation, maybe wavering a little lower but never higher. If the needle swings wildly, or never settles at a stable point, suspect your thermostat. If temp gage begins to go too high toward overheating, turn on your heater to maximum; it will help prevent overheating the engine.
2016-05-17 06:29:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like blown head gasket inbetween a cylinder and a water jacket the compression from the cylinder is presurizing the coolant system causing your antifreeze to push out into your overflow tank and come out your radiator wont be long before your engine is trashed from driving it . not nessasarily from overheating it but antifreeze in your cylinder isnt good for it and antifreeze getting in your oil and driving it like that will eventually put cracks in your block then you will need a new engine instead of just a head and or a head gasket
2007-04-10 13:18:35 · answer #5 · answered by jb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, 210 is not hot. A simple cooling system pressure check will find the problem.
Good Luck!
Do not drive the car till the head or heads have been removed if the fore-mentioned test looses pressure quickly.
2007-04-10 13:08:17 · answer #6 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in the first place,never put cold water in the radiator,when the car is overheating.use warm or hot water.using cold water,you can crack the block.ok,since you dont have the money to get it fixed,get some bars-leak and put in it,and finish filling it up.bars will stop your leak,and it wont hurt the cooling system.
2007-04-10 15:46:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No do not drive it, everyone does that and doesn't listen. You will warp the engine block or head and that is pricey to fix. Look for radiator sealant it is sold at pretty much any auto store. The only thing is that it is not perfect because it can start to limit the flow of coolant. It works great though as long as you follow instructions carefully. It is also very cheap.
2007-04-10 13:25:16 · answer #8 · answered by max k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bring up www.crc industries.com Scroll for K and W Nanotechnology Permanent Head Gasket and Block Repair.
Read what CRC has to say and you make the decision.
2007-04-10 13:17:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the radiator was still full then it isn't leaking. you probably just need a pressure check.
any autoparts store can check the cap pressure and just take it to an oil change place and they can pressure check the rest of the system.
2007-04-10 13:11:44 · answer #10 · answered by Mr Teal 137 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋