GeneralJon
New Member
I'm at the end. I got nothin' left. Been fighting to save my Libbey from overheating and I'm losing the war... Any help or ideas please!
Couple weeks ago I notice the temp floating a bit over center where it has ALWAYS been. Nothing terrible, just a little warm, and it recentered when I was moving (I assumed due to airflow). This was 2 days before I left for a 600 mile roadtrip. She was due for a oil change anyway so I checked the coolant when I changed the oil (oil looked good, btw; "Atta girl, not missin' a drop!") and it was a little low, about halfway between empty and the cold fill line. I didn't think much about it and she ran like a champ for the next two weeks. In fact she gave me a bit over 20 mpg average for the trip!
Then about a week ago I took the fam out to our fav local mexican food (about 6 mi away) and I was in the red as I limped her into the parking lot. I popped the hood and she was dry as a bone. I got her home and filled 'er up scratching my head as to where to coolant went. I filled up again, taking time to let it settle then topped it off again. I also replaced the cap (just under $4) The next day on the way home from work the temp went red again. Coolant? Gone. Also, the right side of the radiator was cooking but the left side was cool to the touch. "AaHaa!," says I. Must be that durned thermostat. But that still didn't solve the coolant mystery in my mind.
So I replaced the thermostat then took her for a spin. And, uh oh, that wasn't it...
So I carefully inspected all the hoses and the radiator. And I found a very small crack on the right (facing the KJ) side of the radiator. "AaHaa!," says I. It looks kinda small to lose all that coolant but there goes the pressure on the system! No pressure, no circulation! Right?
So last night I replaced the radiator. Got one brand new from my local stealership (everyone else had to S/O 7-10). New coolant. No leaks. Idled for 30 min and the temp was in dead center. Coolant level good. Not doing the happy dance yet. I took it out on the road and didn't get 1/2 mile when the temp went thru the roof. (censored)
What's left?
The water pump? No leaks, no noise. I haven't opened it up to look at the fins though... But wouldn't the engine overheat when it idles if the WP was shot?
A bad thermostat from the auto parts store? How likely is that? I plan on pulling it out tonight and boiling it just for laughs. That sucker better open...
Blown head gasket? The dipstick looks great. Oil isn't milky. No watery stuff dripping off the stick. Again, execpt for the heat she purrs like a kitten.
Slipping drive belt? Replaced it a Christmas. No squeals. Good tension. Looks fine.
A friend suggested that the timing being off could make it heat up. I've never heard of that before but maybe... But, again, she runs great.
I am going to rent a pressure tester from said auto parts store as well. Maybe there is a leak somewhere else? A pressure leak that doesn't leak fluid?
Please guys, help me out here. Any ideas???
Couple weeks ago I notice the temp floating a bit over center where it has ALWAYS been. Nothing terrible, just a little warm, and it recentered when I was moving (I assumed due to airflow). This was 2 days before I left for a 600 mile roadtrip. She was due for a oil change anyway so I checked the coolant when I changed the oil (oil looked good, btw; "Atta girl, not missin' a drop!") and it was a little low, about halfway between empty and the cold fill line. I didn't think much about it and she ran like a champ for the next two weeks. In fact she gave me a bit over 20 mpg average for the trip!
Then about a week ago I took the fam out to our fav local mexican food (about 6 mi away) and I was in the red as I limped her into the parking lot. I popped the hood and she was dry as a bone. I got her home and filled 'er up scratching my head as to where to coolant went. I filled up again, taking time to let it settle then topped it off again. I also replaced the cap (just under $4) The next day on the way home from work the temp went red again. Coolant? Gone. Also, the right side of the radiator was cooking but the left side was cool to the touch. "AaHaa!," says I. Must be that durned thermostat. But that still didn't solve the coolant mystery in my mind.
So I replaced the thermostat then took her for a spin. And, uh oh, that wasn't it...
So I carefully inspected all the hoses and the radiator. And I found a very small crack on the right (facing the KJ) side of the radiator. "AaHaa!," says I. It looks kinda small to lose all that coolant but there goes the pressure on the system! No pressure, no circulation! Right?
So last night I replaced the radiator. Got one brand new from my local stealership (everyone else had to S/O 7-10). New coolant. No leaks. Idled for 30 min and the temp was in dead center. Coolant level good. Not doing the happy dance yet. I took it out on the road and didn't get 1/2 mile when the temp went thru the roof. (censored)
What's left?
The water pump? No leaks, no noise. I haven't opened it up to look at the fins though... But wouldn't the engine overheat when it idles if the WP was shot?
A bad thermostat from the auto parts store? How likely is that? I plan on pulling it out tonight and boiling it just for laughs. That sucker better open...
Blown head gasket? The dipstick looks great. Oil isn't milky. No watery stuff dripping off the stick. Again, execpt for the heat she purrs like a kitten.
Slipping drive belt? Replaced it a Christmas. No squeals. Good tension. Looks fine.
A friend suggested that the timing being off could make it heat up. I've never heard of that before but maybe... But, again, she runs great.
I am going to rent a pressure tester from said auto parts store as well. Maybe there is a leak somewhere else? A pressure leak that doesn't leak fluid?
Please guys, help me out here. Any ideas???