Just bought an '85 V-6 T-top with 126,000 miles about three weeks ago.
We brought it in for an oil change and that night noticed coolent fluid on the garage floor. We took it in and no leak was noted and coolent was capped off. The next day it was evaluated and they replaced the radiator hose, and the rear differential fluid. On the drive home the car stalled twice (3 mile trip) and we found the radiator overheating and the coolent chamber empty. Car towed in the next day and they found the radiator cracked, coolent in the oil chamber (where the dipstick measures the oil), a leaky gasket, and a balky cooling fan.
My question is whether anything was done during the oil change that brought about the radiator leak/gasket leak etc. It's a big bill.
I don't know much about cars so I may not be explaining things well.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Russ

 

It seems that they would have noticed coolant in the oil when they changed it initially. I am sometimes suspicious of mechanics but it seems like they might have forgetten to refill the radiator when they changed the hose. There is no way to tell. I can't imagine a car overheating and doing that much damage in just 3 miles though. Unless there was a problem before you bought it. I know that is not much help.

 

Thanks. These guys have generally been really good for us over the years and this is the first time I've gotten an older car. I'll be talking to them over lunch and I just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts.

 

Coolant in the oil could be a head gasket which would also contribute in a large way to an overheating problem. Not their fault. What do you mean by a "balky cooling fan" ? Also, as dirty as the oil might have been, they may not have noticed it.