Yesterday I was on my way to work. 70-75 mph cause I was running late. Saw a cop so I check my speed and my temp gauge is in the red. I immediately pulled off the freeway thinking it would drop once I came to a stop. It didn't. I put the heater on hot and full blast. Nothing but cold air came out and the needle didn't budge. Debating whether or not to call a tow truck, I drove a block and the temp started to go down and hot air came through the vents. I decided to drive home. As I was driving the temp went back up and cold air through the vents. Everytime I would stop at a light and start driving the temp would go down for a little while before going back up. I made it home limping at 15 mph. When I got home I popped the hood and steam poured out. Since it was dark already and I was now late for work I left it and got a ride.

I woke up this morning, go out to my car and popped the hood. Dried coolant was all over my hood, radiator, and front supports, everything in the area of my radiator cap(which coolant was bubbling out of last night). I did a quick inspection and filled the radiator (just over half a gallon). Bled the system and took it for a test drive. Drove it pretty hard. Harder than I have in a long time. The needle didn't move the whole time. In fact she ran great, purrs like a kitten at idle. I have no idea what is wrong.

No Cel
Not the head gasket(compression is good, no mixing of oil and coolant, no white smoke or sweet smell from the exhaust)
No leaking hoses(connections are clamped tight, no cuts or tears)
No blocked hoses
No leaks around the cap.

What could it be? Possible water pump? I'd like to think this was some freak accident, but in reality, it's probably a sign something is wrong. I don't want to end up stranded somewhere so help me out guys.

 

Thermostat? thats the only thing you left out. It may be water pump most likely. But Seem's like lack of circulation. If it's running fine may be your Thermostat, if not water pump.

 

Something other than the T-stat is going on here. The OP states he got nothing but cold air from the heater even though the temp was in the red.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatchamaback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thermostat? thats the only thing you left out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats what I was kinda thinking as well. Couldnt hurt to check it.

 

True, then most likely thermostat, plus its easy to check and cheap to replace. When you squeeze the raiator hose with your engine off you can litterally hear it open and close. Maybe mines fucked up but that's from what i know.

 

Sounds like the coolant system is clogged. Flush it out. Do a chemical flush on the engine from the back and have the radiator flushed or do it yourself.

 

The radiator itself could be bad - happens frequently with these cars - the coolant level could have been dropping off for a while and you just so happened to catch it on a bad day (hence the cool air coming out when you originally put on your heat: a sign of low or no coolant in the heater core).

A huge clog could also do that kind of thing, but it's unlikely.

 

Thanks for the replies.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatchamaback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thermostat? thats the only thing you left out. It may be water pump most likely. But Seem's like lack of circulation. If it's running fine may be your Thermostat, if not water pump.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I thought of that as well. I was going to drill some holes in it anyways. Seems like now would be a good time.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Archidictus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The radiator itself could be bad - happens frequently with these cars - the coolant level could have been dropping off for a while and you just so happened to catch it on a bad day (hence the cool air coming out when you originally put on your heat: a sign of low or no coolant in the heater core).

A huge clog could also do that kind of thing, but it's unlikely.</TD></TR></TABLE>

A bad radiator was the first thing that popped into my head while I was at work last night. I already checked for clogs, none that I can find.

How can I tell if my thermostat is bad? Same with water pump? I haven't heard any squealing. Any other symptoms I can look for?

 

run the car and check for circulation. that is your first step. if there is none, check the thermostat by taking it out and dropping it in some boiling water, that should make it open all the way. if it doesnt then change it. then try again. if still no circulation, change the water pump. stop driving the car.

 

I totally forgot about the boiling water trick. Thanks a lot.

 

Dont drill holes in your thermostat. The engine will run too cold and kill your mileage. You want the coolant at operating temp and about the same temp as the oil.

Also the idle will be high all the time.