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!993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator


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ddonna
New User

Jan 12, 2013, 1:24 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1446 views)
post icon !993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator Sign In

I have a 1993 Buick Riviera I had been noticing the temperature gauge kept getting closer to Hot and I kept smelling antifreeze. So finally i had someone take a look under the hood he looked in the radiator there was nothing in it but the overflow container was filled to the fill line before I do anything else i need some advice. I don't know if i should add antifreeze to the radiator or have it towed on Monday to the mechanic. I haven't noticed any leaks on the ground. The guy that looked under my hood took a look at the oil dipstick he said he was seeing if antifreeze was mixing with the oil. He couldnt tell Tongue The check A/C light has been on for awhile now but i didnt pay any mind to it. I don't know if it could have something to do with that? I thought it was strange the overflow had antifreeze but not the radiator. Any clue what might be wrong??


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 12, 2013, 1:29 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1430 views)
Re: !993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator Sign In

It might not be leaking because the radiator is empty. You really shouldn't drive or run the engine until you figure out where the coolant went and it is repaired. I suggest you have it towed to your mechanic. You just might save the engine that way if it isn't too late already.

If there is a large enough leak, the coolant system will suck air from the leak instead of sucking coolant from the overflow tank.





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(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 12, 2013, 1:31 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 12, 2013, 1:37 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1423 views)
Re: !993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator Sign In

First blush that would be a head gasket issue. Antifreeze if really in the oil damns it even more. Reservoir can stay filled if integrity of the cooling system is violated.

A/C light is probably nothing to do with it and just knows the charge is off/low and not involved. Deal with that later.

Tow it. You really wont know till it is pressure tested and diagnosed for probably a head gasket job and still wont know the extent until heads are off and checked.

If car is still nice overall this is the time to find out the extent and cost to put back in order. If you really want A/C (should be disable now if light on) that could be expensive also. Heck - so are cheap new cars so you do the math with informed diagnosis but expect this to be costly. In that it runs there's a decent chance of a good fix IMO,

T


ddonna
New User

Jan 12, 2013, 1:46 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1417 views)
Re: !993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator Sign In

I'm going to have it towed Monday. It hasn't overheated yet, i watched the needle when i was driving it and it gets almost to hot and then goes back to normal but creeps up again and back down.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 12, 2013, 1:57 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1415 views)
Re: !993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator Sign In

If the coolant level is low enough to expose the coolant sensor probe to air, the temperature gauge will give you a false reading. Your gauge might read that it isn't overheating, but the engine could be glowing red under the hood.

Let us know what you find out. Hopefully there isn't any engine damage.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Jan 12, 2013, 9:02 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1397 views)
Re: !993 Buick Riviera no water in the radiator Sign In

The idea of not running the engine is more than just to keep it from overheating. Right now you're saying you have coolant mixing with the oil. Well coolant doesn't lubricate things. So your bearings could get wrecked if its driven around constantly with milky oil and cost you an engine when it may just need a head gasket right now which is substantially cheaper.






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