car overheating need help

[99redcamaro]

i was coming from work tonight when i saw the check gauges light on and the temperature gauge at the red mark. i pulled out as quickly as i could because of the traffic so i drove the car for 2 more min. to the next gas station. by that time i passed the red mark way more,i thougt my car was going to explode right there [img]graemlins/crybaby.gif[/img]
i checked the radiator and it was leaking coolant. my guess would be on the water pump. anyone with the same problem? Do you guys think i already fried my engine because of this ?. when i got home (tow truck) i just started her i it was just fine (the sound of my engine alive is music to my pocket [img]smile.gif[/img] ). if i replaced the water pump in the case the water pump is the problem should i change the thermostat ?? Oil Change just in case ??
HELP!!!!

[hockeyman]

Coolant from the Radiator doesn't necessarily mean that your Water Pump if shot. Maybe the Rad has a pinhole in it somewhere and causing coolant to leak out, or a clogged water jacket somewhere in the engine. Have the rad checked first, then with everything already apart, (personally) I'd replace the Water Pump and Thermostat. A little insurance can go a long way.
Do you ever smell antifreeze when driving? Look over the whole radiator and check for signs of a leak.

-Marc

[99redcamaro]

yes i did, today though coming out of my workplace i was smelling this thing and i thought it's like coolant but, i didn't care too much. do you think could be the radiator. How do i know if the water pump is death.

[hockeyman]

-Look at the front of the engine just under the Throttle Body where the pulleys are, if you see coolant dripping from around there, you're Water Pump is shot. The seal inside of the water pump cracks, breaks, or gets stripped causing it to leak. Then it's time for a new one.
-A pinhole in the radiator will most likely leak as the engine is running at normal operating temperature around 180-195*. Pressure builds up inside of the radiator and will cause any minor pinhole to blow out coolant. You normally can just look at the rad and see if there is any dis-coloration on the aluminum fins. That will give you an idea where the possible leak is coming from.
-A bad Thermostat can get stuck in the closed position, and not allow any coolant to flow through the engine.
-I've heard that a bad Radiator Cap will cause alot of overheating problems, but I haven't witnessed any cases as of yet.
It will be cheaper for you to pull the radiator and bring it to a shop that repairs them. As the rad is getting repaired, I would personally replace the thermostat and water pump just to be on the safe side. My rad was fixed for $80.00, new water pump was $20.00, and thermo was $6.00. Don't forget two gallons of Dex-Cool (Red) Coolant.
Bada-Bing! Ready for Summer...

-Marc

[ January 31, 2003: Message edited by: hockeyman ]</p>

[99redcamaro]

thanks buddy, i'll do it

[99redcamaro]

i checked for leaks on the radiator, the water pump, the radiator cap, reservoir and nothing. then i went to autozone to buy a thermostat, gasket, oil pan,dexcool coolant you the stuff [img]smile.gif[/img]
then i printed the 160 thermostat installation manual found on our tech database and voila. it took me like 30 min to replace the faulty thermo (stock 195 Degres) for the 180 one. then i had to deal with the air on the rad. now it's working fine again.
thanks for your help and thanks for this websiste valuable source of information.

[TurboKillaZ]

yup I had the same problem,it was the thermostat