Hi all,

The check engine light came on today while driving on the 401. The symptoms that i'm having are:

1) when slowing down, and stopped in traffic, the temp guage goes up past whats its normally at (it goes up to about 90 if not a bit more, which isnt normal for my car)

2) the transmission seems to be sticking in 3rd gear, its at 3000 rpm at roughly 90 km/h which it usually is at about 23-2500.

3) coolant reservoir will drain after roughly a week (no idea where!) so i add more to make it up to the appropriate mark.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

I think you better find the reason your coolant is disappearing. The problem with the cooling system may be why your trans is over heating.

Well...

I looked thoroughly through the engine.....the only spot with minor minor leakage, which is primarily damp (not puddled or anything) was in around the water pump, however, I dont believe this is where the coolant is leaking. I think its being taken into the engine, and basically from looking over this form, i'm assuming its the lower intake manifold.

Ive got two questions,

a) about how much do you think this would cost to get done at a mechanic

b) is it worth trying to do myself over a weekend?

Thanks for your help,
dave

Couldn't even guess what a shop would charge. Parts is perhaps $120 in gaskets. It'* something that can be done in a weekend. There is a write up in the tech info area.

check to make sure there is no coolant in your oil as well.

if your doing a water pump job replace the coolant elbow right away to.

Let us know when your going to do it so we can be ready to help.....Dan i'm going to be gone so watch this one ok.

Just Kidding...I'll be here to help....lol

i feel like i'm jumping to conclusions with the intake manifold....i was also thinking water pump.
One other symptom, which has happened in the past week, is that at idle, there is a slight squeak coming from what seems to be the serpentine belt area (it goes away whenever i have a chance to check it!). the squeek stops when i press on the gas for the most part (either it stops or i cant hear it just b/c of the engine), would these be a potential water pump problem rather than the intake manifold? please say yes!

well

water pumps do squeak when they get really bad

but so would the tensioner...when you give it gas the tension tightens and the squeak goes away

Remove the belt and check all your pulleys. Give each a turn and pay attention to the feel and sound. Check the power steering, alt, ac compressor and water pump as well. Give a good inspection of the belt. Look for cracks and wear.

well,
i've changed the waterpump...refilled the coolant....still the same problem. I'm thinking intake manifolds....

there is a code on the computer, trans component slipping. However, what I think this is about, is that when it was heating up, the transmission was acting weird, higher rpm then normal.

However, since the water pump change and new coolant added, the transmission seems perfectly fine, so i dont think that is the issue.

What do you guys think about it being the manifolds? I tried looking for the coolant elbows, i'm not quite sure what they look like (aside from an "elbow" shape).

This is what your elbows look like.



They are on the right side of the engine right by the water pump.