When will it end?

[mersidoe]

Now, this just isn't funny any more! Please allow me to vent:

A little background. I just had the timing belt replaced, and the accompanying water pump, etc. Then I was narrowing down the cause of the vibration, which I think is the tires AFTER replacing the carrier bearing.

So the tire shop tells me I have a leaky radiator, which I see no signs of. (They said that the car sat in their shop overnight, and there was radiator fluid on the ground in the AM.)

I went back there today, because my son's car is still there getting fixed (another long, sad story - this isn't my week for cars,) and I told them I saw no signs of a radiator leak.

So they say it's because I don't have a pressure tester, and they bring me back into the shop, hook the car up to the pressure machine, and the radiator fluid goes flying across the room, Literally! (It was spewing from the seams in the upper part of the radiator.) So how much pressure did they apply, anyway?

So I spent the day brooding about that episode, went to my yoga class, although being "mellow" is the furthest thing from my mind, and when I went to leave, there's something else wrong with the car!

It was idling all rough, (really rough!) and the check engine light was on. (Both are totally new symptoms) I started to drive it home, but since it was dark and rainy and I have to travel on a highway to get home, I decided to leave it where it was and get a ride with a friend.

Now what? Could it be related to all the work I did recently? The radiator "pressure test?" I realize mostly I'm just venting, but since I will probably have to have it towed to the dealer tomorrow, any suggestions?

[Jesda]

Recent purchase? Sounds normal.

When I bought my 92 Q last year, I ended up replacing the water pump, gutted the radiator, replaced the fuel pump and control module, replaced a pulley and belt, and some other doodads.

Left me stranded a couple times because I didnt get any kind of inspection done when I bought it. But everything important was taken care of and I took it across the country. Now its time for chain guides.

I guess.. you can feel better knowing its not all out of the ordinary for an old ride.

-Jesda

[VimyJ]

Mersidoe,

Rest assured that the engine in your J is renouned for its durability and reliability.

That said, things can happen. I have no idea what could have occured to cause your J to suddenly begin to idle roughly. Was it running fine after your pressure test? Did you notice any antifreeze sprayed around the engine bay before the test? Were you having to add coolant before the test? I hesitate to mention this, but, your J didn't overheat after the test did it? Overheating is a killer. Check the coolant level before you move your car.

Hopefully, some of the brethren will chime in with some ideas.

[mersidoe]

I don't think it overheated, because since they warned me about the radiator, I've been watching the coolant level and the temp. gauge pretty closely.

The only time I've even seen any evidence of the leak is when I let my son drive the car (a little harder than I do) and it had a bit of a "hot burning smell" when we got home, which I attributed to a little leaking fluid.

That was probably the closest that car's gotten to WOT, but he didn't go overboard because I was in the car.

I'll have it towed back to the dealer today and see what they say. :-(

[cweberj30t]

Did the vibration go away?:) I suspect that one of your hoses is leaking, not your radiator. When they did the water pump and timing belt, they have to disconnect all those hoses. Some mech's will remove the radiator completely. Were they able to pinpoint the leak? If the dealer did the work originally, make them run Consult and find out why you are getting a code. You'll get her running right soon enough. Keep an eye on your temp gauge and make sure it doesn't overheat.