need help

[afwife]

Hope I am posting this in the right place, am a newbie here. I am hoping someone can help me. I have an 89 240sx. It started acting up, temp gauge not working, bogging out. I had someone come look at it and they changed the thermostat for me and bleeded the radiator. Car is running like new except for a small problem ( I hope) . There is what I believe to be antifreeze leaking. I know almost nothing about cars. Did he not seal something properly for it to leak? There was a little leakage before he changed thermostat but nothing like this.I paid this guy $200 to fix this for me as my husband is in Iraq and can't do so. This is my only mode of transportation so I need to get it fixed but not sure if I want this guy to do it again if he fubarred something the first time. Could there be another problem with the car?

[navysnail]

were is it leaking from?

[afwife]

about the area where he was working on the thermostat....Thanks for replying

[[s3]]

maybe forgot to install gasket

call him up, tell him he screwed up and demand he fix it for free

[afwife]

The housing was cracked! He's suppose to come out this week and fix it. Thanks for your reply!

[s13sr20chris]

use rtv(room temp vulcanizing silicone). its cheap at the auto parts store. the permatex ultra grey is very similar to the kind i use at the dealership.

[afwife]

Bump

[afwife]

Had to bump this post ..new problem or may just be same old problem. I got the housing fixed and no more coolant leaking, car runs good, actually great except temp gauge wants to climb every once in awhile, coolant does not flow when I take that cap off to check and now idles funny, seems to idle high at times....anyone got any ideas???

[masticatingcow]

Yeah, get a torque wrench, set it at 45 ft/lbs and crack that guy's skull! LOL, JK...

I have a 91 240sx and while the engine is a bit different (DOHC vs. SOHC in your 89) my idle acts up occasionally. From what I've read and been told, a slight blip in the idle or even a slight rise in temperature is not uncommon or problematic, and unless new problems ensue, it may not be worth the time and money to correct.

To answer your question, this sounds like a new problem... albeit possibly related to this guy's handling of your car. How high is it idling? And how far up the temp gauge does the needle go?

[ride4lame]

The temp gauge should be close to the middle all the time after it warms up. If it raises small amounts or dips a little there is no problem.

[niznos]

Correct me if I am wrong, aren't there a couple of sensors by or on the thermostate housing/ water neck? That guy may have damaged them or didn't reconnect them properly.

As far as coolant flow is concerned. Better make sure he didn't install the thermostat backwards for something crazy like that (if that is even possible).

Our thermostats are different from most cars. The 240's opens at 170 degrees while most other cars open at 192. If "that guy" is a mechanic, insist that he get it right or give you your money back or take the complaint to the local Better Business Bureau; but if it was some guy on base trying to make a buck, you may have to report him. I sure there are regulations against this kind of conduct.

[afwife]

Yeah, get a torque wrench, set it at 45 ft/lbs and crack that guy's skull! LOL, JK...

I have a 91 240sx and while the engine is a bit different (DOHC vs. SOHC in your 89) my idle acts up occasionally. From what I've read and been told, a slight blip in the idle or even a slight rise in temperature is not uncommon or problematic, and unless new problems ensue, it may not be worth the time and money to correct.

To answer your question, this sounds like a new problem... albeit possibly related to this guy's handling of your car. How high is it idling? And how far up the temp gauge does the needle go?

__________________LOL, good suggestion there!I feel like an idiot here because I don't kow the terms and things for cars...lol.....but the idle is a litle above the 1 and sometimes "revs" itself up a little higher. Temp gauge after warming up usually sits at half way but occassionally slides up a notch ot two higher. I can still smell coolant but can't see it. I had the oil changed the other day also and it looked normal, I asked because I have read so many things on this board.Thanks for your reply.

[masticatingcow]

The heating doesn't SOUND like a problem... if I remember the 89 dash correctly, that's about 1/4 inch... probably normal. As far as the revs, are you running the air conditioner?

[navysnail]

or the idle is just warming up if you just start it, its called "hard idle" sounds fine to me, unless you see green water on the drive way, id say dont wory about it

[afwife]

Thanks guys for your replys. One more question please, I still smell coolant and it's a strong one, esp. when I cut the car off but there are no leaks anymore since he came back and fixed it. Should I be concerned?

[masticatingcow]

It's possible that there might be spots of coolant residue in the engine compartment that are heating up and evaporating, giving you that strong smell. If the smell doesn't go away in a couple days, take it back to the guy and bring that wrench I mentioned before.

[s13sr20chris]

yeah, coolant smell should be gone in 3 days. if not, there is a leak. if the coolant is not coming out of the bleed hole when opened up, there is a problem. it sounds to me like you may have air in the system.

[navysnail]

pop the hood, take a good, hard look at the engine. find any fluid leaking/wet, clean it up and take the car for a nice drive in the country. when you get back check the area for leakage. and i agree with s13sr20chris that it is very possible that there is air in the system. when the engine is cool, open the radiator cap and make sure that there is coolant up to the top. make sure there is coolant in the plastic tank and if those are fine, open the bleed hole. ask if you dont know were it is. MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS COOL i cant stress that enough.