Alright guys i have a bit of a delema here. My car over heats after driving for about ten minutes. The problem is that my radiator looks to be in good shape and i cant seem to find any type of leak, however i have to keep adding coolant. My first thought was worst case senario of a blown head gasket, but i dont smell coolant in the exhaust and there is no white smoke in the exhaust either. Any suggestions?

 

If you have to continually add coolant, it's 99% the headgasket. Fill the radiator full, leave the cap off & let it warm up. When the thermostat opens, rev the motor & watch the coolant running through the radiator neck... if it's bubbling a lot, or not flowing, or in any way looks abnormal, it's probably the headgasket.

Also check the headgasket all the way around the block (probably need a mirror on the exhaust side) to see if there's any streaks running down the block from the head.

 

Thanks nismo, would a bad thermostat cause this?

nvm that was a dumb question

 

The coolant could be going to your oil (which could be just the timing cover too) Or your pump might need replaced but I've never really seen one go bad other then weep. Either way Check for milky oil.

OR you could just have a big air pocket in the block that needs filled in which case do what nismo said, but leave the heater in the car on too.

 

A freind of mine had this problem just the other day. Does it still run strong? he had a blown headgasket. we pulled #3 and #4 spark plugs only to find cooling running out of the holes like crazy. but never smoked, since those two cylinders never ignited it did not have a chance to heat up the coolant to make it smoke. So run it for 5 mins, before it over heats, shut off and check all 6 spark plugs for wetness, and make sure its not just unburnt fuel.

 

A quick sniff test will help you with that.

 

I had this problem last August.

Driving in rush hour traffic with a turbo motor, broken thermostat, in 100 degree weather.

Coolant in my cylinders, rebuilding soon =D!

 

Thanks for all the help guys I'll check out these suggestions and keep you posted. Once again thanks

 

Fubar asked if my car was running strong, It is. So im going to check for an air pocket because i do not see or smell coolant on my spark plugs

 

Didnt want to make a new thread. My o2 sensor needs replacing but i cant get the wire connectors apart. How do i do this with out breaking it?

 

Pull hard.

If you need to replace the O2 sensor... who cares about it's wire? Just cut it so you can pull the wire & connector up top where it's much easier to work on.

PS... good luck on the O2 sensor removal. Most of the L28ET ones are pretty much rust-fused to the downpipe. Soak it in PB Blaster & then apply heat with a torch.

 

Ahh a torch. Must have an every tool box. Also good on suspension, bushings, and ball joints/tie rod ends.