Any Mechanics around?? I have car trouble -
02-26-2004, 02:12 PM
Well, after driving home from school today and driving into my garage, I see there was "smoke" (more like evaporated liquid) coming from my hood. So I pop the hood and don't see where exactly it is coming from, so I look underneath the car and find there is liquid leaking underneath. No, it's not oil but it's ENGINE COOLANT! cry:
Does anyone know where the radiator is located on the car, and what problem I'm having here? I was either thinking my radiator is leaking or perhaps I have a few lines that are torn and leaking some anti-freeze on my engine, which is then creating that "smoke".
Can anyone help me here?
P.S How much does a radiator run for? radiator lines? cry:
please tell me that you are a female. Every male on this earth should know the basics of a car. I am as far from being a mechanic as possible but I know this stuff.
POP QUIZ
If the round thing that touches the ground leaked all of the air out could you change it?
I did not have a Father to teach me this shit, so please back off, and YES I can change the tire.
I KNOW it's the radiator but I need to know if you guys think it's the radiator lines or the radiator itself. I don't even know where the radiator is located in the first place so I'm not even sure. That's WHY I came here and asked.
Well I just figured out that radiator is in FRONT of the car next to the grill, THANK GOD. So that means it's NOT my radiator that is leaking, it has to be a hose because I see the leak UNDERNEATH my car where the oil storage is.
Yes, my car is overheating but I think it's only a leak. A month or so ago I checked my engine coolant and it was only half full so I filled it up to the maximum level. A few weeks later I got an error message saying "low coolant" and checked it again. The engine coolant was nearly empty and I filled it up yet again. Then I check it again today when I had this problem and it's now HALF full so there has to be a leak somewhere. Hopefully it's just a line that is leaking cause I don't want to blow $400 for the radiator and the labor.
yup it's probably a coolant line. Easiest way to test them is to give em a squeeze. If they feel really stiff the line is probably okay, if it gives when you squeeze it, replace that line it will fail shortly. You should be able to see if any of the lines are cracked, fluid dripping from them. What color was the fluid that leaked out? Coolant lines are really cheap and very easy to replace, unless it's a lower rad hoses then it might be a little tricky. Good luck!
[quote="Cpt. Zapotoski":c920f]Well I just figured out that radiator is in FRONT of the car [/quote:c920f]
ROLF. Yep, thats where they usually are.
Anyway, put the car up on some jacks and check the hoses. One might be cracked or damaged. If their cracked near where they connect, you can cut the part that is damaged off and clamp it back on. If it's in the middle somewhere you'll have to replace the whole thing. but you need to know if its feeding the radiator, or coming form the radiatior. (Upper and lower hoses if I remember correctly.)
Dont Go To A Mechanic, Go to AA.Com for all your car's needs! oOo:
"I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do if I caught one. I just *do* things. I'm a wrench in the gears. I *hate* plans." - The Joker http://pressthenyckbutton.blogspot.com/