Radiator problems!

[dionisio944]

,fbasfdashdnSKbkSHcnkSJBckSJBCnznc

[exit9]

I saw some postings in the nico forums and it says you were a tech for 7 years.

[telcoman]

Hello,

I saw some postings in the nico forums and it says you were a tech for 7 years. My dilema is this:

I had gotten in an accident several years ago, the mechanic that put the car back together did not refill the cooling system properly and i was driving the car at high speed and then the thermostat cap blew and over heated. to make a long story short, the dealer wont touch it cause they say it was the shop who fixed it, the shop who did the work is blaming the dealer....

on and on goes the story and I am stuck with a car that overheats all the time.

When i had another infiniti dealer look at it they said that i blew a head gasket and thats why it overheats. they wanted thousands of dollars for the repair not covered under warrany and i said no.

a friend of mine that is a mechanic suggested i use block sealer because the hole is so small it wouldd seal it up. so i did it and for almost 2 years it has been fine unless i take really long trips and then this is what happens.

The resevour tank is at max level when cold. when i run the car for a long trip the fluid builds in the reserve tank and does not get sucked back into the system until i shut off the car and the next day its back to normal...

Here is my question, when i look at the level in the radiator is it supposed to be vissible because i dont see and fluid in there and feel like i have to add water to the goosneck to ensure proper level....or as long as the coolant is in the reserve tank on max level cold, is the system ok?

I am not sure if it is supposed to be full all the time or not. but because i am afffraid of the car overheating i added water but now i have too much water and not enough coolant so the car creates air bubbles and overflows in the reserve tank.

So i have flushed all the original block sealer and replaced it with 1 gallon of full strenght coolant, 1 quart of wetter water( icy cool additive) and the remainder with water. the car does not overheat but the what are the levels of the reserve tank supposed to be when hot and col? also when cold should i see coolant to the top of the radiator or is it supposed to be not visible? I know its a long drawn out question bbut I need help. if you want to talk please call me at 386 490-3540 i am taking a trip to nyc from florida and dont want to get stuck halfway between states at the mercy of a over priced mechanic>>> PLEASE HELP!!!!

thanks,

Danny

With the engine cold the level in the reservoir tank should be at the engine cold mark.
If you remove the radiator cap the coolent level should be at the top of the radiator.
If you go to a radiator shop they can do a pressure test for you. If in fact you do have a blown head gasket its going to cost $$$ to repair.

Good luck
Telcoman

[tollboothwilley]

Check for headgasket failure: YOU can do a leakdown compression test. You can check oil cap for "chocolate milk" colored oil but that normally on bad head gasket issues. When car has sat for a little while (1 or 2 hours) have someone start the car - if the exhaust coming out is white or has a bluish tint at all you have issues with head gasket.


Sounds like your radiator is low on coolant to begin with. Like TELCO said, should be at the top of the radiator when it is cold and car is off.