car maintenance question

[Bertha Venation]

Don't laugh. I don't know anything about cars. My '95 Tercel has been running hot (when I'm stuck in parking-lot traffic, which has happened three times in the last two weeks). It hasn't overheated but it's never run hot like this -- I've had it for six years.

Clearly I should check the fluid level in the radiator. If it's low, how do I know what to add?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Sounds like the thermostat

When you replace it spend a few bucks more and ask the mechanic to replace it with the one that engages at a loweer temp...cheap insurance on an old car to keep the engine from blowing

[Tempest]

8. Yup, it's most likely the thermostat

I've had more than one go out on me.

[Sabriel]

2. Check the reservoir and add coolant

If you've never flushed the cooling system, it might be worth it. FYI, if it ever DOES start to overheat, turn on the heater and run the fan full blast (better open the windows). The heater acts as a secondary radiator and purges some of the engine heat. Then get thee to a garage.

[supernova]

3. anti freeze

is what you need.

Check the level. If you have the car owner's manual, it should tell you how full the radiator should be.

If you look inside the hood there will be a container for the anti-freeze. You want to add a mix of about 50%-505 anti-freeze and distilled water. Again check the owner's manual to see how much you should add.

Or you can take it to some place like Jiffy Lube and they'll do it for you.

edit: I second the radiator flush before adding new.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Check the fluid level when the engine is cold.

There should be a clear or translucent reservoir attached to the radiator that will let you check fluid levels. If you need to add fluid, you can buy pre-mixed anti-freeze at an auto parts store. Just add that until the reservoir is full (should be a line or something).

[GOPisEvil]

6. If you haven't had the radiator flushed and re-filled, do that.

Jiffy Lube can do it.

[Book Lover]

5. Usually a 50/50 mix

of water and antifreeze is recommended. Your car may have an overflow tank attached to the radiator - if so, do your filling and level checking there. If you still have the owner's manual, there should be instructions there.

Make sure the engine is cool before doing anything with the antifreeze - your level may not be accurate, plus you could injure yourself on steam or hot coolant.

on edit: I third the flushing motion. If you never get it done, now is a good time to do so.

[Kolesar]

7. Old radiators get corroded and ineffective

The fins rust away and the old radiator cannot cool the engine as well. You may need a new radiator. Ask your mechanic. In Ohio, where they salt the roads heavily, corrosion is a big problem.

You may get by just putting distilled water in the cooling system until the end of summer. If you don't remember the last time you had the cooling system flushed, it is probably time right now!

(all of the other advice on this thread is good advice.)

[Career Prole]

9. If it's only heating up when you're stuck in traffic, you may also want to

check to make sure your radiator fan is turning on. With the engine off check to see if it turns freely by hand. With the engine idling it should turn on at about 180-190 degrees (in some models, if you turn on the A/C it should turn on with it regardless of temperature).
If it doesn't turn on, there is a relay and also a fuse which could be the culprit.
Don't get your hands near the fan with the engine running, because it turns on automatically, 'kay? :)

[drb]

16. This is the correct answer...

If your coolant is low, just add water for the summer months. If your fan isn't running, that's your problem. If your car runs cool when you'tre moving, it's not the thermostat.

[Bertha Venation]

18. okay, this is interesting . . .

I noticed the fan kicking in on this morning's drive, and realized I hadn't been hearing it lately. A fuse, eh? If the fuse is burnt out, the fan wouldn't just start working again, right? What's this relay?

GAWD I'm ignorant! :crazy:

[Career Prole]

19. That's why I wanted you to see if it (the fan) turns freely by hand.

See if yours matches this...
http://bshill.com/tercelonline/1994/ENGINE_C.PDF

The entire maintenance manual is here...
http://bshill.com/tercelonline/1994/

And I found it all at one more message board you should join...
http://board.tercelonline.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=18

The relay should be in with the fuses. Look for a plastic box under the hood on the driver side fender with wiring harnesses going to it.
Sometimes the components are labelled, sometimes there's a diagram in the cover of the box, and if all else fails that first PDF link has a diagram. :)

[physioex]

10. NEVER OPEN A HOT RADIATOR......

You never explained how you know it is getting hot?


Wait until the engine cools down to do this. First make sure the overflow tank is full. Add a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant. I do this with a plastic cup. One cup of water to one cup of coolant. Then open radiator cap and fill it with the same way. Put everything back the way it was. If you don't know much about cars, then you are finished at this point.


Things that might cause this problem:

Bad Thermostat
Leaky Cooling System (Water Pump, Hoses, etc....)
Bad Radiator
Cooling fan not operating properly
Worst case scenario Leaking head gasket...

But it is best to take it to a mechanic if the problem persists.
It would be cheaper to fix it now than later...

[Bertha Venation]

14. I won't. And how I know it's getting hot?

The needle is too damn close to "red!" It's usually on 4-6 ticks above the bottom of the scale. Lately in 3-hour traffic jams it's been getting to 3-4 ticks from the beginning of the red zone.

Another DUer said "run the heater full blast" -- yes, that's a trick Mrs. V. taught me. That's what I've been doing in traffic lately.

Next payday -- radiator flush.

[TX-RAT]

11. "car maintenance question"

Check fluid of course. Remember, radiators rely on forced air to cool. Sitting stagnant with the motor running is the worst case scenario. If sitting in parking lot traffic is something you can't avoid, i would recommend an aftermarket electric fan kit. They will increase the amount of air passing through the radiator.

[physioex]

12. Until the other possibilties are ruled out, there is no need for this..EOM

[hunter]

13. Geez, now I'm worried about your car...

Please have someone you can trust who knows what they are doing check it out. If you ignore it you could be in a heap of trouble.

[Kali]

17. totally agree

a few bucks for some maintenence, heck even a hundred or so for an new radiator (if it came to that) beats the HELL out of a ruined engine. Trust me on this one!

[Bertha Venation]

15. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE

Lots of excellent advice. Thank you all!