93 SC300 auto with 97k

So a few weeks ago I noticed my car getting a little hot but not in the red. I replaced the thermostat with an OEM unit and the radiator cap. Got hot again a couple days later. Took it to a buddys shop and he replaced teh fan clutch as the fan wasnt spinning too freely. Ran fine a couple days then got hot again. Back to said shop and the radiator had a leak in it so I replaced that. Drove fine for 2 days then got hot again. This time was odd though. Car would get hot on a cool night but drop immediately when stopped. Its usually the other way around so I have no clue. Each time there was an issue it was low on coolant so a cool down and refill was done. Could the head gasket be faulty? Any ideas guys?

 

It could be the HG, although I would think you'd notice a light to moderate smoking if that was the case (or coolant would be in the oil).

 

i doubt its the HG. in most cases, when one component of your cooling system fails, the rest soon follow. i would have all of you hoses looked at, along with every other part that wasnt replaced.... check your waterpump.

 

sounds like the bottom hose is getting sucked shut under pressure

 

Have you considered you water pump? I would with that year and milage, if it has'nt been done yet.



gadgetSC-t

 

try pressure testing the systen u will know if its the HG for sure. or start pulling plugs and looking for red krystals (or whatever your coolant color is) on the ends of the plugs

 

Doing an oil change this week. Mechanic said the water pump was good and that everything should be functioning correctly. What about the hose closing up with pressure? That sounds interesting...

 

bottom radiator hoses have been closing since the beginning of time

 

they usually only get sucked closed when there isnt any coolant in them

 

Ive heard of it, just didnt know it was that common. Could this be a possibility? Ive probably put a few gallons in it since this started. Any other ideas?

 

if the coolant dissapairs u prolly do have a blown headgasket u can drop the oil to see if there is any coolant mixed in or u can run the car and see if u find oily or whitish specs in ur coolant best bet is to check pressure n compression. if u said gallons of coolant u can rily point ur fingers have u tried to burp ur system mabe it could just be as simple as air pockets? good luck~

 

Ended up replacing the whole top end and the water pump and sold the car. Ran great after the repairs. Must have been the HG or the head being slightly warped due to heat. Thanks for your help guys!

 

unless you hit red multiple times and drove it like that for awhile, i doubt it was the HG and i dont think it warped. you checked the head and it was warped??

from your original post, it sounds like it wass just the waterpump, you never said you replaced it. if the water pump was slowly failing, it won't cycle the coolant through properly, and the coolant in the motor will still get very hot and since it isnt flowing properly will eventually just boil and bubble out the top and probably leak out of your overflow tank.