Anothe Tip World tip, this time on Thermostats, a question sometimes asked
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From: Columbus,OH
Anothe Tip World tip, this time on Thermostats, a question sometimes asked
Yes, Your Car Does Need A Thermostat!
Question: I just paid $230 to have my mechanic figure out that there were holes and a "radiator stop-leak" (which he said had turned into an oatmealish substance) in the radiator of my recently purchased 1989 Toyota Tercel. When I took the car to the shop, it was running extremely hot. Steam was billowing out from under the hood, and the reserve tank was bubbling. The mechanic replaced the radiator, but the car was still running hot. I took the car back, and the mechanic suggested that I have the thermostat removed. He said that the car didn't need it. He then suggested that I have the cooling system flushed as well. I am a poor college student who really can't afford to let someone spend my money guessing what's wrong with my car! What do you suggest?
Answer: First of all, don't go back to this shop! Any shop that tells you that the car doesn't need a thermostat has no clue as to what's going on with today's cars! Microprocessors and sensors depend on a certain set of parameters from the manufacturer. Included in this mix is the engine temperature. Remove the thermostat, and you throw the computer system into a tizzy!
Find a shop that has trained technicians with up-to-date diagnostic equipment. Have the shop perform a cooling system pressure test. This test will reveal if there are any external leaks. If no leaks are found, then the shop should perform a cylinder leak down test, during which each cylinder is pressurized with compressed air. The technician traces where the pressure loss is taking place. The shop might even have to perform a compression test to determine if you have a blown cylinder head gasket. The initial cooling system pressure test shouldn't cost more than $50. Any further diagnosis will be charged at the shop's hourly rate. If the technicians find that you have major engine damage, I would suggest that you have an overall evaluation of the vehicle to see if it's worth repairing. I wish you success.
------------------
89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555
Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!
Question: I just paid $230 to have my mechanic figure out that there were holes and a "radiator stop-leak" (which he said had turned into an oatmealish substance) in the radiator of my recently purchased 1989 Toyota Tercel. When I took the car to the shop, it was running extremely hot. Steam was billowing out from under the hood, and the reserve tank was bubbling. The mechanic replaced the radiator, but the car was still running hot. I took the car back, and the mechanic suggested that I have the thermostat removed. He said that the car didn't need it. He then suggested that I have the cooling system flushed as well. I am a poor college student who really can't afford to let someone spend my money guessing what's wrong with my car! What do you suggest?
Answer: First of all, don't go back to this shop! Any shop that tells you that the car doesn't need a thermostat has no clue as to what's going on with today's cars! Microprocessors and sensors depend on a certain set of parameters from the manufacturer. Included in this mix is the engine temperature. Remove the thermostat, and you throw the computer system into a tizzy!
Find a shop that has trained technicians with up-to-date diagnostic equipment. Have the shop perform a cooling system pressure test. This test will reveal if there are any external leaks. If no leaks are found, then the shop should perform a cylinder leak down test, during which each cylinder is pressurized with compressed air. The technician traces where the pressure loss is taking place. The shop might even have to perform a compression test to determine if you have a blown cylinder head gasket. The initial cooling system pressure test shouldn't cost more than $50. Any further diagnosis will be charged at the shop's hourly rate. If the technicians find that you have major engine damage, I would suggest that you have an overall evaluation of the vehicle to see if it's worth repairing. I wish you success.
------------------
89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555
Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!
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