I'm somewhat distrustful of taking my car into the shop (they always find something that needs to be fixed for $200-$400) so I will ask here first.

I am having overheating problems. It started about 2 weeks ago, when I noticed my car was in the red while driving on the freeway. When I got to my home, the car was slightly smoking and there was a burning smell. The next day, I refilled with coolant and I was fine for about a little over a week. Last week, while stuck in traffic in the hot sun, I noticed the engine was running high again. It fluctuated above average, at times going to red zone and at times midway between normal and red. When I got out of traffic, it cooled down again, but was still above average. The last few days, it hasn't hit red, but occasionally runs higher than it should. Usually it will run higher when I'm idling and seems to be fine on the freeway.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I'm betting that there's a pressure leak in the system.


StrikeEagle

the first place to look is the thermostat.its cheap and easy to change.usually just a couple of bolts hold it in place.

What type of car is it? Could make a difference.

It's a 93 Celica. Also, it definitely smells different when it has been running hotter. The fluctuations can be quite sudden, too.

d'Artagnan,

Those EXACT same symptoms happened to my car many years ago and it turned out to be a semi-clogged thermostat. Hopefully that's what the problem is because it's inexpensive to fix.

I've been extraodinarily busy the last few days and will remain so for the next 10 days or so. That's why I haven't responded to a number of great posts and comments that I've been able to quickly read the last few days. I'll try to catch up when things slow down for me again. Because your situation sounded like a potential problem which could turn into an emergency, I decided to make an exception (not to mention that I really enjoyed hanging out with you a bit when I was in TJ).

A Dodge d'Art kind of guy,

Out-of-Towner

1. If you had to refill it w/ new coolant then you definitely have a leak from you radiator. Check for leak!! Fill it up, let engine runs for awhile, look for obvious coolant leak and buble blowing.

2. Check your thermost-ass.

3. Check the plastic reserve tank and its CAP and overflow tube. If this cap is not tight, should be as tight as Mahogany's, coolant will vapor and your radi-ass-tor would be drained.

4. Worst situation is leaking in the water pump's seals. Ouch....

Good lucks

No, it gets worse. If you heed all the advice above and it continues, you could have a cracked head, gasket or block. But it's easy to rule this out. Check for oil in the coolant, or coolant in the oil. If you find neither, then no worries, mate. PS, if you find oil, DO NOT use one of those aluminum-shreds radiator fixers. That will fuck you over quicker than a Mexican whore. Trust me, I did it once. Ouch...

MrBillO^™--- ~ I get more pussy than a Tampax... ~

By what you write, it sounds like a leak. Have you checked that? If not, run the engine and watch underneath the car for water and/ or watch up top for developing steam. There are two hoses at the back of the engine and down low that are related to your heater that you may not be aware of, and one of them may be developing a leak. If you can find steam coming from the back side of the engine, it's almost guaranteed to be one of these hoses and a not so expensive fix (although, as you know, many shops will surely tell you that the whole system is completely $hot!)

Eunuch

1) How much coolant does it need after a run?
2) When the engine is hot look carefully at the hoses for any steam. Also look down at the bottom of the engine for liquid (yellow). If you had water in the engine you would see it, and smell it.
3) Most probable cause are hoses( how old) and water pump for coolant loss. If it is boiling over through the catch bottle then thermostst is most probable.

d'Artagnan mi amigo,

Locate the "thermostatic fan switch" which on your vehicle I believe screws directly into the radiator. This acts as a thermostat that turns on the electric cooling fan when the water reaches a certain temperature. Replace this switch ALONG WITH a new thermostat and new radiator cap.

Should solve the problem.

BillyPV

I was wondering if any of you know where in TJ can I take my car to have the digital odometer in my car fix or adjusted. I replaced the odometer in my car and I took it to a place here in LA but they want $175 just to put the correct milage. I am sure I can get it done for cheaper in TJ, any idea where? thanks

find a decent and honest mechanic
( know thats a joke )

i agree, sometimes the thermostat is 1st to go.

but you never know...

A lot of cars now use an electronically controlled fan, rather than running a fan directly from the engine. This reduces the number of belts in the system, and avoids unneeded drain on engine power.

However, it's subject to non-obvious failure - a failing or broken fan-belt is obvious. A failing or broken electric motor or wire is not so obvious.

I had this happen long ago, and it cost me my car.

The trick is that the radiator fan, which blows or sucks air over the radiator, doesn't run all the time, but rather only when the system gets hot enough.

You mentioned sitting in traffic, which is the gotcha. If the car is moving at 30+ miles per hour, the fan doesn't ever need to be on -- the motion of the car generally forces enough air through the radiator. If the car is in traffic, then the fan needs to activate to get air movement.

A good way to check is to open the hood with the car parked and the engine still running after one of your "hot flashes." If the fan isn't turning, the problem might be the electric fan, or the wiring, or the thermocouple that controls it.

Good luck.

are you a mechanic ? zurick man ?

Looking for advice from anyone who owns the Infinity FX 35 or the Porsche Cayenne 2008 (6cylinder). The Infinity is about 12K less with double the options...The problems is I have test drove both and really like both for different reasons...

Defender, they are two entirely different types of vehicles. Comparison would be another thing if they were both SUV's or both sedans. Consider your need(s) as to making your decision. If you have ever owned an SUV then you are aware how hard it is to "go back" to a regular type car.
Having said that; just recently I was discussing the Cayenne with a fellow CH member. I have owned two Porches, both sports models and two SUV's, so definitly can state that there is no way to compare them without considering "the mission of the vehicle". I would not be w/o an SUV now. However, I am not convinced the Cayenne is worth the money with all the other choices out there now. It becomes totally a subjective choice. Decide first, Suv or sedan, then go from there! Good luck with your decision.

Defender, as you know once you drive a Porsch one fully understands the meaning of engineering and true handling, which are definitly "spoilers"

You know, my buddy just got the Cayenne S. I drove it last week and wasn't impressed until I stepped on the gas. As far as SUV's go, it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of interior creature comforts. But hearing that engine is SWEET! I was deliberating about an SUV recently and test drove the BMW X5. While it's more refined than that Porsche as far as interior comfort goes (IMHO), the performance and SOUND do not come close. Porsche has done a good job of combining a sports car and an SUV. Best of both worlds.

BTW - I abandoned the idea of an SUV and got a BMW 550i. What a road ripper.

Defender, for some reason I think the VW Touareg is the same vechicle as the the Cayenne. It's about the $10K less from what I remember. I've read good things about it.

Copperfieldkid are you sure you aren't thinking of the Porsche Cayman? The Cayenne is the big SUV. The Cayman is the cross between the Boxster and Carrera.

BL, no I meant the Cayenne (SUV) I was trying to point out that it's apples to oranges; one has got to decide what they want, sports car(or similiar handling) comfort, bells and whistles (BMW, definitly not Porsche!) etc
I personally enjoyed my SL as it had the best of all worlds. When I bought my first Porsche and drove it home I had come out of a very well equipped sports car with bells and whisltes, I sat in the Porsche for an hour looking at the basic panel/dash thinking "what the hell have I done!" After a few days and driving it you realize how nicly they are engineered and forget all the fluff. Anyhow, I now need to qualify to Riojake that the 550i is a great car also, just in a diff class...
You guys missed out on the great cars, but then you would be older like me, always a trade off! lol (give me a mid yr 427 vette, or how about a 389 tri-power/4spd 64 GTO...or the Hemi Cuda..now those were cars! AHHH the good ol days. Whitier Blvd , and of course the Pomona Drags. Big Daddy Roth lives!
Sorry, back to reality.......

Copperfieldkid, IMHO none of them bias tire cars have anything on a C6 Z06. And none of today's imports can hold a candle to one either. As for the 6 figure "super" cars - I can't even get in one they are so small. Tough to beat a C6 Z06.

We talk about the good old cars alot. No A/C, bias tires, drum brakes, plastic seats, radios, crank windows, carbaraters, leaf springs - all that good stuff!

I've been working in Silicon Valley this year, renting cars from Avis. I've had a new Camaro SS (428hp) for the last 3 months - a very very impressive car. But last week I picked up a new Hemi Challenger. I just got back from a road trip to Tahoe in it. What an awesome car. It's a true throwback to the "good ole days". Even if the Hemi is only 5.7 liters, its still got that 4 barrell kick. 7000 ft? No problems. The dial just spins to 80 faster then I can look down at it. I love the big truck, huge hood, and seats wide enough for me. I can even rest my left arm on the arm rest. Bright red and big letters on the hood "HEMI" just incase anyone is interested. Now I wonder what the SVT version is like. Anyone have one?

Recent recalls necessitate posting the following link http://www.safercar.gov/

You will need your VIN to use the link and find any/all recalls for your vehicle.

CFK

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on May 20, 2015)