another mechanic says my coolant is too rich, I am dangerously low on funds, in a strange city looking for a job. Any ideas anyone? Honda CRV Lx 1998
2007-09-23 15:22:00 · 11 answers · asked by Anne G 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Ok first on any honda engine any form of stop leak is a last resort they can be very temperemental as im sure you know. Second it wasnt much of a mechanic i suspect it was one trying to get 400 dollars from you for 70 dollars worth of work. If your motor is saturated and dirty youll need to power wash it or steam it clean. Then run the engine for a bit and watch all around it for your leak its usually something anyone can fix. If you must use the stop leak or similar dont be surprised if later on you have to replace more parts. If it is a slow leak and you dont feel confident doing it yourself i would say check the level everyday and run it while you try to save some money and ask some people about their opinions on a REPUTABLE mechanic not just the cheapest. Its well known that if you dont know much about mechanics, then some mechanics will try to change your blinker fluid. Just like your body if its alot of work ask a second opinion at a competitor.
2007-09-23 15:42:13 · answer #1 · answered by money72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your mechanic do a leak test which consist of putting a dye in the coolant (even though the coolant is green the dye has a special residue). The dye works similar to the dyes used for plumbing leaks, sewer leaks, etc. it shows where leakage has occur. Sometimes, all the connects may not be tight enough, or somewhere the engine may be burning the coolant. If this cost to much, look to see what the warranty still covers, and look to see what Jeep may have recalled for defects. You can also contact Jeep with your problem and ask what is the common solution if you mechanic does not work for Jeep. Sometimes you can find what is the most reoccurring problem for vehicles by dealership about their maintenance records. I own a 2006 Jeep with extended warranty; Jeep had recall my heater unit, they replaced it with no cost to me. My friend still has 1996 Jeep with extended warranty; he believes that when someone maintain a vehicle it will last until you are ready to trade it in or keep it as long as you want for a collector's item.
2016-05-17 07:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by jamey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a coolant tester at local walmart. Its a little syringe with
a bulb. You suck up antifreeze in the bulb and watch
the balls float, it will tell you how well you are protected.
Coolants never too rich. You can run the car on pure
coolant but this will lower your boiling point, that's why
coolant is mixed with water. As for the leak get stop leak
by prestone or whatever and put it in the radiator when
engine is cold. Run the engine for a few miles until the
temperature reaches operating range. Place a cardboard
under the radiator to see if anything is dripping while
you open the hood and look for steam coming from
hoses or radiator.if you have a leak you can smell it!
2007-09-23 15:29:41 · answer #3 · answered by Bobby G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rich coolant will not cause this, start up the car, and look for the leak, u can add food coloring to the coolant to make it easier to see, how ever this is a last resort, look around the water pump, follow the hoses, look for pools of coolant collecting, most auto parts stores sell a coolant leak stoper in a can or bottle, follow the instructions on the bottle, it is very reasonable in my experiance.
2007-09-23 15:29:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a mechanic said what it isn't then why didn't he say what it is? sounds like a bad mechanic to me. Go to a good repair shop and have it checked out. If you run low on coolant your engine can over heat causing major damage. Also, fill up the radiator with antifreeze ASAP don't run on low or none.
2007-09-23 15:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by whata waste 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could just be a loose hose clamp.With you hand,follow each hoseto the end where the clamps are.If it is wet that is where you need to repair the problem.Have a blessed day.
2007-09-23 15:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by (A) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the mechanic said it's not the water pump, he/she must have had there head under the hood. Did they not see something else?
2007-09-23 15:30:39 · answer #7 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be a number of things radiator, heater core, intake manifold gasket, thermostat gasket, head gasket. radiator or heater hose leak. avoid using stop leak if you can it can plug up the heater core
2007-09-23 15:27:50 · answer #8 · answered by hermitofnorthdome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure its just not the over-flow? can you stand there and watch it drip when its runnin? or you notice a puddle after its been shut off for awhile.
2007-09-23 17:12:20 · answer #9 · answered by DennistheMenace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Bars-Leak" Found at ANY auto parts store.
It costs about 5 bucks and should fix your problem for now.
2007-09-23 15:28:27 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋