Coolant and clutch problems

[sabst79]

Hello, Im new to the forums and have an '02 SL, and basically know nothing about cars. For the past year my heat has not been working unless the car is moving and during stop and go traffic it gets really cold. I've been to my mechanic at least 3 times and he's always bled the car and refilled the coolant and that helped for a few months, but then it would go back to cold. He says he can't find a leak, but I can hear some splashing/gurgling sound in my car and sometimes I can smell the coolant.

Im also having the same clutch problems that a few people have posted about. It gets depressed and stays in, and doesnt come out, if I let it go too long, I can't get it into gear. Usually the fluid is low, and that gets refilled, but again, can't find a leak. This has happened twice in the past year.

Thankfully my mechanic doesn't charge me for the bleeding and refilling of fluids, otherwise I'd be broke right now.

I've also noticed that Im driving at higher RPMs than what it used to be, usually its around 3000 now instead of 2000, can all these problems be related? has anyone found a permanent solution to any or all of these?

thank you.

[ahhhbe]

My car does the same thing with the heat (cold when stopped). Luckily I live in TX. Anyways, when I took it to dealer they said something about a leak in coolant system somewhere. I couldnt afford to get it fixed at the time but probably will before winter!

[pm_page6776]

You have an air pocket in your heater core usually caused by incorrectly servicing the coolant. Once it is in there it is very hard to get out. You have to drain the coolant and use a vacuum device (such as an airlift II) to suck the system down then refill the system. Even then it may not be completely gone, you have to leave the cap off, raise the front of the car, and gently squease the heater hoses as it is running. As far as your clutch issue, either you have a leak or you may need a clutch master cylinder. Your engine RPMs should not vary. either you are in the wrong gear or your clutch is slipping.