Last night I was driving home and the check gauges light came on. Engine was ovewrheating, so I pulled over. Coolant reservoir was empty, so I added water since that was all I had with me. I let the engoine cool down, then drove to the nearest gas station and it overheated again as I was pulling in to the gas station. I let it cool off again, then added water to the radiator. That got me home, and I let the vehicle sit for an hour, then checked the coolant reservoir and it was empty again.

I'm pregnant and I don't know anybody who knows anything about cars. I know more than hubby does. lol. I called my dad and he said it could be water pump, radiator, or heater core.

I got my oil changed and fluids topped off 2 weeks ago. Since then my vehicle has been smelling like antifreeze. I thought it was because they spilled some on my engine. I guess I was wrong.

Also, my heater has not been getting very hot since then.

I don't know what to do at this point. I can't afford a mechanic. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Some veh info will help. What engine? Any new sounds/noises? "Generic": here's a start at troubleshooting:
Check water pump bearings by holding fan and trying to wiggle it it back and forth, should be no movement. Spin the fan, should be a little resistance. If spins freely the fan clutch gone. If wiggles then bearings gone. Heater hoses are on passenger side, inspect for leaks. Refill coolant then run engine and look for a leak. The coolant has to be going somewhere. Does the exhaust smell like coolant? Running normal otherwise? Check upper and lower radiator hoses for flow by squeezing them once engine is warm, no flow and you can squeeze closed, if flowing then there's pressure there. Thermostat stuck closed causes no flow. How does the radiator cap look? It must hold pressure or will let out coolant. Sounds like a big leak somewhere or no circulation until too much pressure builds.
HTH
Troy

 

well if its a 98 we know what engine she has! And from the info she has givin, its sounds like the water pump has failed and the coolants leakin out the weep hole.

 

And you really know more about car's than you husband?? Something's dead wrong there!

 

You have a serious leak. That we know for sure because of the fact that you had to fill it multiple times in a short period of time. Also because you've been smelling antifreeze for a while.

You need to find the SOURCE of the leak.

Leaks are difficult for us to help you with. The leak could be coming from anyplace in the cooling system. Water pump, radiator, hoses.

You will need to get a good light and run the engine to pressurize and check carefully for leaks. Having it up on a hoist is helpful.

Pay special attention to the "weep hole" at the base of the water pump. If it is coming from there, you must replace the water pump.

Another place common for 98 to leak is at the seams/corners of the radiator.

Good luck!

 

Had a friend replace thermostat and heat sensor and things seem to be running fine, now. Thanks for the help, guys.

I guess there wasn't a leak. All the water and antifreeze got backed up somewhere. Now I'm just worried something will happen because I filled the reservoir up twice with water and I put water in the radiator, too. Should some of that be drained out? My friend said it was okay and added even more antifreeze.

 

I just bought a 99 cherokee for $100 buck, best money i've ever spent, she runs sweet and is in pretty good shape for $100 bucks atleast. I'm hearing all kinds of mixed messages about getting my trany flushed. I have a leak in the transmition line from when the previous owner drove it into a ditch. i have it patched pretty good. But i just wana know is it worth getting flushed or will it do more damage then good?

 

Unless it was leaking from the thermo housing, this doesn't make sense. If the thermo got stuck CLOSED that would cause it to over heat, but where did the coolant go? Keep your eye under the hood for leaks, the cap and weep hole as suggested.

 

If your freind knew anythin he would have put a high concentration on antifreeze in to offset the water you added. What kinda of temps do you get where you live? a 50/50 mix is good to around 30 below 0. If your way up north you want to get the coolant flushed so you dont run into more serious issues.

 

Think I'd buy 2 gals. 50/50 pre-mix antifreeze/coolant, ask your friend to pop the lower rad hose off at the water pump, let it drain, re-install the hose and fill it up at the rad with fresh. Check coolant level (ENGINE COLD) every day for a few weeks......and teach hubby how to do the same.

 

I wouldnt advise flushing it, but you can drain and refill it