Now What??

[mrcaddy]

Warning: Frustrated Owner!

I bought this 1994 GA SE with 169,000 for $100 in late August. All told I have just under $600 invested in it. Before I went home last night (from work) I noticed a drop (half dollar size) on the pavement of coolant from what looked like the firewall side of the engine. I stopped into my mechanic about a block away from my house and we looked things over for a bit and then he had to go. I didn't notice it then,but as I was leaving the water outlet on the top of the motor (2.3 SOHC) let go. Not in a leaky kind of way, but like it purged 90% of the coolant way. The EPA could follow me right into the driveway. I'd had this part replaced a week ago.
So, when is enough enough? What do you all gauge that on? I still have to figure out how to make the windows work. The dome lights and the rear defogger don't work right. I do notice some 'milk' in the oil. I really like the car as far as drivability (when it's on the road), handling and of course 30MPG helps.
Sorry to vent and sorry this is long. Thanks,Scott

[Matt95GT]

It was still a $100 car... I wouldn't expect it to be perfect / maintenance free at that price/age/mileage.

Coolant leaking from the water pump? Get the car off the road immediately and flush the oil until you change it. I lost the engine in my 94 HO due to this... it milkshaked the oil.

[mrcaddy]

It's off the road. I'm going to have to move it tonight a few feet and then I'll take it to the mechanic Monday night. He's only a block away.
I'm not really expecting perfection, but this cooling system thing is driving me nuts!! I can't be sure if it's running too hot or if it's just right. I've ran so many gallons of coolant through this car lately that it's all new now. I really like the way these cars drive and handle. Much better than my '95 Chevy Suburban that I had to drive today.
Oh, last night my mechanic hooked up the computer and checked the temp. While the gauge was reading 220 his tester showed 151 c. What does that mean?

[rixGAphx]

I've ran so many gallons of coolant through this car lately that it's all new now.Your system is leaking coolant.
Quit dicking around with individual components, and service the entire system.
Oh, last night my mechanic hooked up the computer and checked the temp.
While the gauge was reading 220, his tester showed 151 c.
What does that mean?1. No GA engine in North America shuold be running 220*F today, for any reason.
So, something is wrong with your cooling system:
* Gage.
* T'stat.
* Waterpump.
* Radiator (clogged).

A reading of 151*Cis not possible.
That's 304*F, and NO water-cooled gasoline engine can ever get that hot when it is circulating even a little liquid.
The entire cooling system would EXPLODE in steam from the pressure; the hoses, gaskets, and plastic rad tanks just cannot withstand the pressure (about 40 psi) produced by that temperature.

For a few minutes prior to complete melt-down, a water-cooled engine CAN run that hot if it has lost ALL liquid coolant.
But it's a-knocking and sputtering and about ready to seize when it gets that hot.

Seriously, something's wrong with the engine/cooling system, and the guy who sold it for $100 knew it was going to be expensive.

Good luck,
-Rick

[Matt95GT]

There are 2 ECT sensors, one for the gauge, one for the PCM. There are times they will do funny things, especially because they are located in a spot where an air in the system may collect.

[mrcaddy]

No, that's not to say I have a continual leak. Just a few instances. Also, should the face of the radiator be hot or ice cold after a 20 minute highway trip in 30 degree weather? Mine was ice cold, but warm around the edges. Seemed odd.