About 2-3 weeks ago I noticed that the engine heat gauge/needle began to creep quickly and steadily towards the red zone. I pulled over quite a bit before it got to the red, let the car cool, then opened the hood. The overflow resevior was dry. I put water in it (didn't have any coolant w/me) and drove to the mechanic's. We could not find any leaks; no evidence of H2O in oil, etc. or other leaks, hoses/belts are good. No unusual noises. No drips/puddles/or moisture leakage into the interior either. I am the 2nd owner; the car has had moderate to excellent care. It runs smooth and quiet with 165k miles. So did radiator flush with proper 50/50 mixture, and just figured I watch and listen for signs. No change. Every 4-5 days the needle begins creeping back towards the red because the overflow resevior has gotten low again. My mechanic says he doesn't know what it is and that he's booked other jobs for more than a week out and to just keep refilling overflow with water. Is that ok? As long as there's water or 50/50 mix in the overflow, the needle stays at the 1/4 heat mark, but I'm having to replace liquid every 4-5 days! Does anyone have an idea what's going on and/or what I should do? Should I find another mechanic or take car to a radiator shop?
Thanks in advance!!!

 

well, if your actually losing coolant, without any signs it could be evaporating inside the engine...thus a small leak in the head gasket...altho i would highly dought that since you would see it smoking out the tailpipe...as long as you keep it toped up with water you'll be fine...if/when you take it into be looked at...get them to also replace the temp. sensor. these are pretty cheep and they do go bad...if you kept seeing the guage rise WITHOUT the fluid being low i would say its a temp. sensor...but i would have them at least check it and make sure its reading proper...hope that helped a lil.

 

It is the water pump.I actually saw it dripping slightly this morning.I assume it needs replacement. Since my mechanic is so booked up,I called a couple of other mechanics andgotthree P&L: estimates: $229, $759 and $826. Assuminga 1/2 day of work,the water pump and its fixin's, plus front end seals, drive belts,t-belt and a few hoses. There seems to be quite a wide margin between the figures the shops gave I am not a mechanic myself, but my (deceased) dad was, so I did some checking and it seems to me that a reasonable figure for P&L would be roughly $500. Your thougths?

 

I would put it myself it is right out front

 

Since you said you are not a mechanic, I would have the water pump replaced by a pro. Forget the timing belt and front seals. Just the water pump plus drive belts plus coolant. Maybe hoses, depending on condition. $500 seems high.

 

I can put a water pump in in an hour.......you may not be a mechanic but you can learn. Water pump is about $30.......

 

$500 is actually about right for all they wanna do. I work in a shop and know that its $300 just for waterpump in parts and labour...so its ur call but do what needs to be done before somthing that could wait.