Anyone know anything about engines? Radiators in particular?

[ItsAllOver]

Yea, so I just replaced a radiator in a car. Not telling what kind of car, sadly!
The reason I replaced it was because the car was overheating sporadically, and would drink up coolant like a motherfucker (with no signs of leakage or anything...)
Since the replacement, the issue hasn't changed at all, really. Still sporadic overheating. Meaning sometimes it is problematic, sometimes it's not. Can drive it for 2 hours just fine, stop at the gas station, and when you come out to start it again, it overheats about right away. I'm keeping the coolant topped up to the required amount. Was using an antifreeze/water mix, but have switched to just antifreeze.
This particular car burns oil like crazy, too. So I'm thinking what might be a problem (and I'm ignorant, here) is that the oil level keeps getting low, too, which causes a rich mix and overheats the engine? Again, ignorant, so sorry if this is an absurd theory.
I'm trying to think of any other info, but I can't come up with any.
So if you know your cars, let me know what you think.
Thanks!

 

[kmk420kali]

If you are using coolant, with no sign of leakage...then what you have is a blown head gasket--
Take it to a mechanic...you more than likely have coolant in your oil--

 

[Sam the Caveman]

Wasted money on a new radiator. If there wasn't any coolant leaks, did you think the radiator was drinking the coolant?

 

[sumncleaver]

If there not water in the oil. Try removing the thermostat and running it. If it's slow to warm but does not over heat. Then that bugger bad.

 

[NOKUY]

your hyundai is done bro!...u can prolly replace the whole whip w/ a new one for less than fuckin w/ mechanics.

post back here later and tell me im wrong.

 

[The Southpaw]

the advice about your head gasket is good..there are 3 places leaking coolant can go:
onto the ground( you see it on the ground) , into your motor oil( the oil level goes up) , or into a cylinder ( steam from the exhaust).. if you drip some oil from your dipstick onto the hot exhaust manifold and it sputters and spits.. you have number 2...but all 3 are not good..sorry.

there is some stuff called BARS Leaks.. put it into your radiator, follow directions.. I have had it stop minor head gasket leaks..and costs a couple of bucks.. id you have a bad leak you need the hard pulled and gasket replaced..
Since your car is also using oil, my assumption is that your car is high mileage? if so, you have little to lose with the bars leaks.. and maybe it will help for cheap..
there are other radiator/cooling leak stoppers.. dont know about them..
good luck..

 

[NOKUY]

DO A QUIK FIX AND SELL IT ON CRAIGSLIST....everyone else is doing it.

 

[lmv931]

I agree with KMK.... most likely a blown head gasket....but it could also be the thermostat lieing to you but my money is on the head gasket.....hopefully you have a friend or know somone who can do it cheap cause a mechanic will charge you way to much...... I wouldn't atempt it your self if you are not very good with cars....

 

[ItsAllOver]

Hey, to all you folks. Thanks a ton. I told my girl I would have her answer in like an hour, turned out to be true lol. ICmag peeps FTW always.
I was afraid of the blown head gasket I had a friend with a similar issue once before. I know that's not a good one.
Sam yea I had no say in the issue, it's not my car. She has a good ole boy type mechanic that she trusts, and I think that's where the info comes from. Now not saying that this guy is untrustworthy, but god damn is it hard to find a good mechanic.
Southpaw, thanks for the quick cheap fix. I'll look into it on the interwebz and give it a shot!
haha @ Yukon, hopefully not dumpin it on craigs. That's bad K my man. (I figure you're joking no need to clarify yourself) Also, not a Hyundai, shit I thought those were known to run forever.
I won't try and fuck with this myself, although I have the tools and a brain that works well with instructions lol.
I just think it's time to say goodbye to the old whip. Unfortunately, my girl treats cars as ppl and gives them names. She will be sad. It's also not the best time for a car to be crapping out. Less $, mo problems, too.
Thanks again everybody.

 

[burnedout]

the advice about your head gasket is good..there are 3 places leaking coolant can go:
onto the ground( you see it on the ground) , into your motor oil( the oil level goes up) , or into a cylinder ( steam from the exhaust).. if you drip some oil from your dipstick onto the hot exhaust manifold and it sputters and spits.. you have number 2...but all 3 are not good..sorry.

there is some stuff called BARS Leaks.. put it into your radiator, follow directions.. I have had it stop minor head gasket leaks..and costs a couple of bucks.. id you have a bad leak you need the hard pulled and gasket replaced..
Since your car is also using oil, my assumption is that your car is high mileage? if so, you have little to lose with the bars leaks.. and maybe it will help for cheap..
there are other radiator/cooling leak stoppers.. dont know about them..
good luck..

This is good info. Your oil will also look milky and be much lighter in color than regular oil if your coolant is leaking into your oil. Check the oil on the dipstick and compare to another car.

 

[Fuzz420]

if your lucky you didnt warp the head with all the excessive driving and overheating

 

[HeD333]

Just smell the exhaust.. should smell a bit sweet. Whiter than normal. Head gasket is my vote also.

 

[ItsAllOver]

I didn't smell it earlier, but it did seem a little white. Whiter than normal, I don't know, I don't pay attention cuz not my car. HEY! You aren't trying to get me to kill myself are you? haha

 

[MMAJAY]

Other than the worst case senario it could be faulty water pump because many times they leak when they wear out. Thermostat bad. Air in the system can cause problems as well. Never run straight antifreeze because it works much better at 50/50 mix. Also faulty fan either electric or clutch. Check oil for coolant and if its ok check compression on cylinders. Some times its a cheap fix for overheating and not allways a blown head gasket. Removeing thermostat and checking like someone mentioned would be my first step.

 

[Lazyman]

If you are using coolant, with no sign of leakage...then what you have is a blown head gasket--
Take it to a mechanic...you more than likely have coolant in your oil--

Yep, what KMK said, time for a rebuild most likely. Go call a local junkyard (oh fine salvage yard, automotive recycler) and see if they have any engines like yours with low miles, pick it up and drop the car and motor at your mechanic, pick it up in a week usually, costs around 1500 in labor, usually $500-1000 for a used motor.

 

[ItsAllOver]

Just go for the whole motor, huh? I'll be sure to consider that. That much labor might not be worth it. New car time, is my opinion. But it's not my decision to make.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I love my beater

less than $800 and the only thing wrong with it is:

Totally trashed interior (which I replaced cheaply with pick-a-part junkyard parts in good shape)
Gas mileage of a '92 (Glad I don't have to drive much with prices these days)


No leaks or anything and it runs solid. If you're looking for a cheap car, try to find one that "LOOKS" like shit. The re-sell value may be shot for most people but you'll often find they run great.

 

[Lazyman]

Just go for the whole motor, huh? I'll be sure to consider that. That much labor might not be worth it. New car time, is my opinion. But it's not my decision to make.

Yeah, rebuilding your current motor would cost $3-4K typically, unless it's anything more exotic than a Camry or Buick. If it's made by anything from Europe (besides VW maybe) you could double the $3-4K estimate.

 

[icmag.is.#1]

Check your sensors. You may have to get a mechanic to hook it up to their machine to see if you have any bad/dead sensors. The UBDII scanner on loan from autozone is worthless unless the car has already thrown and stored the code in the ecu

 

[Hydro-Soil]

If the model of the car is sold in Japan, you can get a 30K miles motor for cheap.

In Japan they don't let you run a motor over 30K miles due to pollution so they sell the motors to other countries. I had a refurb 30K engine put in my honda for $1500 total (including labor) a few years ago.