Looked in the radiator it was low so I added some fluid, I would rather add it to the overflow just because it seems easier. I made sure I didn't add too much I will keep an eye on it. I have to give you some advise since I am really old. ha ha no really I am, go to school and what ever you choose get a degree!!!! Hubby has 16 years experiance in his field but before anyone willl look at him they want a bachlors degree. I am afraid by time you are ready to work the standards might be set higher for any job. Electrical Engineer is a good choice especially if you are interested. Make sure you do your reasearch, you don't want to wake up in your 30'* and say boy I don't want to get my Bachlors degree in this feald because I can't stand math. That happend to hubby, he really likes computers but all his training is in the auto field. Good luck sorry for the run on and thanks for the advise, you really helped me out and probably saved my ratator.

Yeah, no worries on the education, got that all planned out .

Before you go throwing $50 on coolant, with a cooling system that may leak, do it with water, first. Not only will this help with flushing the old coolant [trust me, I know what old coolant is.. my car has scale all over the coolant ports, and the coolant was a dull grey, not bright green]. Just take the hose, and fill it up. It will usually sink in a little after a minute, so filling it up once may not be enough [you'll see] and just fill it up to the top. Once it doesn't drain down any further with the car off, start the car up and let it run for a minute [don't let it get up to temp], then add more water. Drive around like this for a few days [try to keep it under or equal to a week]. See if your overheating problems still persist. Water always kept my car at the same temp as coolant [maybe a few degrees hotter.. no biggie]. Then, flush the system [remove lower radiator hose, and drain it all out [this makes a HUGE mess]. Then fill it up with 50/50 coolant. Save the coolant bottles, this helps with filling it up. One bottle coolant, one bottle water, one bottle coolant, one bottle water. . .

Also, when you go to flush the water out, take a hose, and run the highest pressure water you can [with the highest volume] down the UPPER radiator hose [the one on the Driver'* side], it will come out the LOWER radiator hose [just pull both off.. you will probably want to replace them]. I got about 2 litres of dried scale come out of my radiator [no bullshit].. there is a LOT of crap that came out. Certainly wasn't doing any good in my radiator, or in my cooling system.


-justin

Hey good advise. I will try that soon but we are in the middle of moving. Due to a power steering leak the bottom of my car is cover with the fluid. After we get it fixed, steerng rack and return hose. Should I try to get the power steering fluid off the bottom of the car?

Good luck.. I too have a small Power Steering leak.. but it leaked barely enough fluid to be visable.. but the lines are covered in crap. It is a LOT of work to change them [well, not so much to change them, but more to get all the air bubbles out and such].

If you have a Shell Gas Station in your area, a lot of them have a carwash built in. Well, with the more expensive washes, you get the sprayer UNDER the car.. which is what will do you good. Just get a few dollars in gas, and you get a $2 discount [Shell gas + GM vehicles = bad.. just don't do it]. If you don't have that option, try getting a pressure washer in there.. and some engine degreaser [follow instructions on can].. you should be good. I have gotten a LOT of crap off my engine with that stuff.


=justin

I never heard the shell gas was bad for GM cars but then I have never had a GM car. What brand of gas do you use? In our area the best prices are Speedway and Meijers gas station.

When I fill up, BP all the way. Chevron gas is the only thing I will put in. The local BP has Chevron.. just ask the station manager what gas they have. Some independant companies use Shell or Chevron [the two biggest companies].. just ask. Speedway is alright, but they are usually a little more expensive in the area.


-justin

Where I live now in Rockwood 48173 we have 2 gas stations, they are usually cheaper then where I am moving to Woodhaven 48183. I am moving this weekend. I will see about what gas station uses what gas. We do have a BP in Woodhaven but it is very expensive highiest in the area.

Justin

No coolant leak it was just low (maybe from sitting in a garage for awhile. Talked to previous owner it has a new ratator. I now have coolant in the over flow tank and it has stayed there

I want to clean my engine. I have read the post on the boards but can't really tell what parts I should cover because I don't know where and what they are Can you help?

Yes, I sure can.

It requires covering up all major electrical components [or removing them]. However, in your case I think I will suggest against removing them.. since it does take some effort, and some knowledge of your engine. I'm not saying you cannot do it.. I will just advise against it. If you do want to remove instead of just cover, substitute remove for cover in the above explaination.

Cover the battery.. especially the battery cables. Cover the coil pack [located near the battery.. black with 6 plug wires running from it]. Everything else should be okay.. if you will be spraying water under the coilpack.. be sure to cover up underneath it too [the main engine ground is located under there, bolted to one of the studs that hold on the coilpack bracket. This is ground is crucial to the engine running.

Go to the local Auto Parts store [or Meijer/Wal-Mart too.. I guess], and pick up some NAME BRAND Engine Degreaser. Follow the instructions on the bottle [usually spray on liberally, let soak for 30-60 minutes {I like 90 minutes best.. it could be that my engine has a LOT of built up **** on it though.. your choice, beyond 90 minutes though, will be futile because if you need cleaning that bad, you will need to attack it with a brush}, then spray off.. I have never used a pressure washer, so I will go against that but who knows? and get high pressure water, and have at it]. Also remove the 3800 plastic engine cover [is just clipped on].. I had an oil leak which caused a puddle of oil underneath the intake plenum.


-justin