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OVERHEAT, A-C , HEAT PROBLEMS
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Brandy.mb
New User
Aug 7, 2007, 8:03 AM
Post #1 of 2
(1842 views)
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OVERHEAT, A-C , HEAT PROBLEMS
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1992 MAZDA PROTEGE DX 1.8L ENGINE
Okay... I have been having issues trying to figure out what is wrong with my car. I haven't been able to drive it for a couple months now, because I don't want to make the problem worse or cause any more problems.
First, I was driving and had to stop at a traffic light, and all of a sudden I smelled anti-freeze and looked down, and my car was running extremely HOT. So I pulled over at the next parking lot, and shut off the engine, and had it towed home. My friend replaced the thermostat, and one of the hoses that may have been leaking. We've checked the radiator and it doesn't appear to be leaking, actually nothing seems to be leaking. The coolant level doesn't change, it stays full. I drove the car to run errands for a couple weeks before I parked it, because it doesn't overheat everytime. (I know, I shouldn't have driven it at all..) Anywhoo... The car seems to overheat in any conditions, fast or slow, cold or hot weather, idling or going. And sometimes, doesn't overheat at all for some strange reason. It really sounds like there is still a thermostat problem, or maybe something wrong with the cooling fan??
ALSO, I don't know if these problems are related (probably not, with my luck!!), But there also is NO a/c AND NO heat... it just blows whatever temp. is outside/ regular temp... Strange... I've had problems with one or the other before with other cars, but never BOTH a/c and Heat!?!
ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE WOULD BE VVVVVVEEEEERRRRRYYYYYY MUCH APPRECIATED, AS I NEED THE CAR TO GO BACK TO START SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER!! CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR!
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 7, 2007, 8:27 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1838 views)
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Re: OVERHEAT, A-C , HEAT PROBLEMS
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Sounds low on coolant. They have to be checked several times when they have been drained as in for the thermostat. Cap will allow reservoir to refill slowly but it's not fast enough and if the system does has a leak or cap is bad it won't do that.
No heat is a symptom of low coolant. A/C is a different story - get to that later. Sensor to kick on the fan for radiator is probably in air and is too slow to react so you can still overheat.
You may have a bad thermostat but it's doubtful. With the car cold, just make sure it's full of coolant (or as full as it goes at radiator) and feel the upper rad hose. Watch temp gauge and note that the hose stays cold till you reach close to normal temp and should warm up to about too hot to touch fairly qucily then. Fan may not come on at that point and ok if the temp needle stays steady. Shut it down and let cool. Feel that there is no pressure in upper rad hose and it's safe to take cap off and you might be surprised that it's low again! So far that's ok. Fill it again and repeat. This time see if the upper hose pressures up right away when running. Not good if it does that. That would mean the head gasket is it leaking gasses into the cooling system and you will never get the system full if that happens and then finish the diagnosis if in fact it does need the head gasket job. Maybe not. Seems like you did your best to prevent that but they are frail in these type cars.
Do those checks and hit back if you need to. Good luck,
T
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