Quad 4 Coolant Problems

[tgussie666]

My b/f neice has a '94 GASE with sudden coolant problems. The low coolant light started to come on last Friday on her way from college for the weekend. I told her to put some water in it and I'd look at it that weekend. She didn't do so and continued to the coast. I looked at it Monday and filled up the resiviour with a gallon of 50/50 Prestone. The coolant light was still on, and proceeded to tell Amanda to put some more coolant in the car after her mom arrived. She didn't. Now, mom called me in a panic saying the car is running 280 degrees with smoke, and a large puddle od "some fluid" under the car. My question is, besides the obvious, what problems I should look for.........

[Ralph]

do a compression test white smoke is normally a head gasket. My guess and water pump seal went and leaked into the timing chain housing which then got into the oil. A compression test will tell you the answer. As for the low coolant light that's not your biggest problem but the sensor is probably just stuck hit the reservoir with a hammer or screw driver handle

[Shad0wguy]

Teach her to take car of her car, first off.

[Matt95GT]

Which engine?

If it's a Quad 4, tell her to start car shopping. If the root cause was the water pump and action isn't taken immediately, the coolant gets into the oil and trashes the bearings. Plus, 280F = pretty sure bet the head gasket is done for.

Not like they'll listen now, but have someone check the oil dipstick (it's the oil cap)... if it looks like a chocolate milkshake, don't bother trying to repair that engine.

My 94 2.3 ended up in the junk yard because of this... learned that lesson the hard way, but at least mine had some fighting chance cause I kept coolant in it.

[Ralph]

yea an LO or SOHC I would just junk if we are right about what is wrong.

[tgussie666]

Good news! It is the water pump, but no chocolate milkshake........will tow back to the coast this weekend and work on it. Looks like a pain in the ass, but we are gonna get' r' done......Thanx for the advice....."Gus"

[Nighthawk243]

Before anyone pays, make sure the shop tests it first. That way you ain't driving out of the shop with a car that cannot do anything more than 20mph downhill.

[Matt95GT]

Good news! It is the water pump, but no chocolate milkshake........will tow back to the coast this weekend and work on it. Looks like a pain in the ass, but we are gonna get' r' done......Thanx for the advice....."Gus"

It would be good news if the pump was easy to change. :lol: It's a huge pain in the ass. I just did mine... took 2 weekends, thanks to damaging some hard to find fasteners trying to take them off.

I'd still be concerned about the head gasket at those temperatures... I might do a compression test at minimum before investing the time removing all the stuff (exhaust manifold, etc) to get to the water pump.

[tgussie666]

Yea, I just realized all that crap you gotta take off. :( anybody have a pick of the underside so I can see the exaust manifold......I'll take it in for a compression test tomorrow, then see what i gotta do.......

[Ralph]

I can run out and take a pic if you want. You want a pick from underneath looking up right

[Matt95GT]

http://www.fazeshift.org/pics/thumbnails.php?album=177&page=2
http://www.fazeshift.org/pics/thumbnails.php?album=175

And from my old 94, since that one still had all the annoying bracing and heat shields:
http://www.fazeshift.org/pics/albums/userpics/09-15-05/DCP06745.JPG

[tgussie666]

That shows me wayyyy more than the Haynes manual........thanx!

[BTF]

Since I'm a newbie to this model, and to maybe give Gus a heads up, may I ask you more savvy posters:

I just did the water pump on a lady's 94 2.3L Quad 4 (thanks for the help, Matt!!!). One oddity-the pump came with 2 sets of gaskets for the front cast assembly which covers the impellers, but did not come with the gasket for the side of the pump which attaches to the motor. Is this common? I know Matt- on his thread concerning his pump- mentioned damaging a gasket and having to get a new one. I made one since the gasket was hopelessly damaged and the local parts place did not have a gasket. I just thought I'd mention this so, if the gasket is not included on his new pump, Gus might get one or exercise suitable caution in the removal of his old pump. Good Luck on your repair, Bill.

[Matt95GT]

That shows me wayyyy more than the Haynes manual........thanx!

You might want this too, if you haven't seen it yet:
http://www.fazeshift.org/pics/albums/userpics/10001/LNR002LD2%20Water%20pump.jpg


One oddity-the pump came with 2 sets of gaskets for the front cast assembly which covers the impellers, but did not come with the gasket for the side of the pump which attaches to the motor. Is this common? I know Matt- on his thread concerning his pump- mentioned damaging a gasket and having to get a new one. I made one since the gasket was hopelessly damaged and the local parts place did not have a gasket. I just thought I'd mention this so, if the gasket is not included on his new pump, Gus might get one or exercise suitable caution in the removal of his old pump. Good Luck on your repair, Bill.

Bill,
My gasket set wasn't 100% correct either, but it did include:
1. pump to timing housing
2. pump to pump cover
3. pump cover to block
4. small o-ring

Only the o-ring was incorrect. I think that was for 93 and older Quad 4's that had the thermostat in the top of the head, so the radiator pipe was different. I had to purchase a thermostat gasket separately. My gasket set came from Napa.

The real gaskets are preferred, if not I'd use gasket maker/RTV. I wouldn't try to re-use the old ones... mine flaked to pieces and the rest took a lot of effort to scrape off.

[BTF]

Thanks, Matt. Once again you've cleared up a question and I'm grateful. I just saw your thread and when you mentioned the gasket, I thought perhaps the manufacturers didn't supply them for some strange reason.

Thanks and sorry if I gummed up your thread, Gus. Regards, Bill.

[Matt95GT]

Thanks, Matt. Once again you've cleared up a question and I'm grateful. I just saw your thread and when you mentioned the gasket, I thought perhaps the manufacturers didn't supply them for some strange reason.

Thanks and sorry if I gummed up your thread, Gus. Regards, Bill.

No prob. The gasket I needed was for the exhaust manifold to the downpipe. I'm using a modified exhaust manifold (early HO Quad 4 manifold, ported, larger downpipe) and it is difficult to find the metal composite "donut" gaskets for it.

[tgussie666]

Doesn't seen that I will need to do the waterpump after all........The second cylinder is a bust. A real low compression of 60. Oh well........The family will prolly part it out. Shame too, the car is in excellent shape. I'll keep everyone posted if it is gonna be parted out.......Thanx again for the help. :)

[Ralph]

If its parted I may be interested in some stuff but if you want to fix it I have plenty of parts

[Matt95GT]

Oh well. Hope she learned a lesson... wouldn't have a dead car if she listened to your suggestion to fill it and bring home.