But this what the mechanic says is the reason my Chevy Tracker is running hot. That and some worn hoses. Is this possible? If it is how much should it cost to fix? I don't want to pull money from my insurance payment If this won't fix the problem.
2007-05-24 03:57:55 · 6 answers · asked by babydoll 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
Is it the dexcool? That happens alot (according to all the complaints that can easily be found against dex-cool) and I have only seen one vehicle that had sludgy type stuff in the radiator, it used dex-cool. Supposedly it lasts 5 years, 150,000 miles or something like that, of course GM says that is just a recomendation, they don't actually warranty that.
But yet they say in the owners manual that nothing needs to be done for that long, so people trust that and don't service it any sooner. It also says right on the bottle that it lasts for 5 years, 150,000 miles. It's bs, it needs to be serviced like regular anti-freeze. There are numerous reports of damage and overheating due to it, do a quick search online. Dex-cool, when not serviced on a regular basis, can cause sludge, rust and rots out the rubber hoses and such, so that sounds like it is similar to the problems you are having.
I would ask the mechanic how much damage he thinks there is and whether it is worth trying to fix. I have heard of cases where people have had extensive engine work done to fix the damage, only to have it happen again a few months later. So ask him for his honest opinion. Flush the system out and replace all hoses and other things affected. Test the vehicle for any damaged caused by the overheating.
But, if it's not dex-cool, I have never seen that either!
2007-05-24 07:33:41 · answer #1 · answered by starwings20 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well if you dont properly maintain your vehicle like it sounds you didnt!! Antifreeze/ coolant is only good for so long and after that it gets nasty and thick and yes it will clog your radiator!!! and yes a worn hose could cause more problems than u want. like it sounds you dont have much cash but what if that hose broke you kept driving and puked out all your coolant and your engine overheated then you would really have a problem right??
So stop being so cheap and put some money in your car and it might last you longer than u wanted... and hey it is a tracker not meant to last forever.
2007-05-24 11:10:13 · answer #2 · answered by jamesonleadfoot77 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The radiator has the smallest openings, of the cooling system, in it's tubes for coolant to pass through and can get clogged with mineral deposits and debris and the front of the radiator can get plugged up with leaves and debris also, lowering it's cooling efficiency.Should have a flush done every couple of years and price varies from one shop to another based on what type of flush they do and labor costs...generally, 80-100.00 How many miles and what year is the vehicle?
2007-05-24 11:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should flush out at least your radiator once every year or two. Sludge does start to build up.
Ideally, you should flush out the fluid from the engine too every couple years but that sometimes be harder to get to (I tend to just flush my radiator only twice a year since that will get most of the gunk). Anyone can flush out a radiator though, it's even easier than changing oil.
2007-05-24 13:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
YES this is a real thing! you need the hoses and a radiator flush.
2007-05-24 11:01:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some people put pepper or 'stop leak' in the radiator to stop leaks and this gums everything up.
Flush the radiator and it should be fine.
2007-05-24 16:31:10 · answer #6 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋