[dogstar]

well, today i noticed for the first time, my car was pinging under acceleration, so i tossed in half a tank of premium (it was at about 1/4 tank of regular before, i know i know...)
the problem seemed to go away, until later tonight, i was going to go for a short jaunt out of town to pick up some stranded friends, and i just about turned onto the highway and all of a sudden ive got steam wisping out of the hood.

i stop and pop the hood and its starting to really over heat now, so i made sure the overflow tank was full, and i tried to let it sit for a while to cool, then i limped it to a gas station, then cooled it, and limped to walmart, then doused the rad with cool water and let it set for a while, then i took it real easy getting home.

im wondering if the two problems are related?
anyone have any ideas why they would suddenly crop up?
anything i can check?

tomorrow im gonna go look and try to find out if its a BHG, gawd i hope not.
um, other than that, going to triple check the fluids, even though i checked them two days ago, and look at the rad, and maybe replace the rad cap.

besides that stuff, im really not sure where to even begin looking
thanks in advance for any help

 

[artm]

The problems could be unrelated. BHG in my experience (I've had 2) show white smoke with a easy to detect smell as well as a series of oyther symptoms, neither of mine had overheating as a symptom. My overheating issues have either been a bad thermostat or low fluid levels. Did your gage register the incresed temp or did you just notice the steam? If your sending unit is out you might have had the problem for a while so low levels of fluid, air in the system or a bad thermostat could all be causes. Do you have a block test kit or know someone who does? (Sorry I don't) That's the easiest way to diagnose a BHG.

If you do have a BHG you could get pinging but there are loads of other reasons for that - if the new gas stopped the problem it might have been bad gas.

 

[Glaucus]

Can't say much about the pinging, but bad timing can cause your engine to overheat (or at least that's what I hear).

Anyway, I have overheating problems too (or at least did), but I've never had my rad cap blow steam out of it. You didn't see the temp guage creep up? If not, then you might want to get that sensor changed.

Typically with overheating, it's a good idea to check or replace the thermostat and rad cap. I would also inspect for leaking or broken hoses (that's happened to me a couple of times). Pay close attention to the heater core valve (next to the wiper motor) and the coolant hose leading from behind the thermostat housing towards the rear of the engine under the intake manifold. Perhaps get a pressure test. Flushing the system is also a good idea. Check your water pump. I assume your fan clutch is toast, but that shouldn't be the real cause of this problem. I would also check the oil levels (and to ensure there's no coolant in it).

Btw, did you try using your heater to help keep the engine cool? In emergency situations you can use the heater to help cool the engine as it draws heat from the engine coolant, basically acting as a second rad. Good luck!

- Mike

 

[dogstar]

welp, the hoses are brand new, same with the clamps, so im guessing theyre outa the loop.

judging by whats been said, im saying rad cap, as its some motomaster POS.... time to go to toyota

hmm, gonna go check everything and take it for a short jaunt around the block, i think my temp gauge might have gotten unplugged or something, as i didnt notice the gauge moving before it got hot.

back in a bit, wish me luck

 

[Eric]

Are you losing coolant too? How new is the radiator and has it been flushed? I was told to check the oil for coolant or water for a BHG. I blew my heater bypass hose at the bottom back of the engine a couple months ago, had me thinking about the end when it wasn;t a big deal.

Eric

 

[dogstar]

well, i just got home, been driving around between friends houses and former work places all day, just incase, but i think ive got it solved.

i topped the coolant back up and burped the system a lil, and got some nasty bubbles out, while doing that i checked the rad cap, and voila.... it lets go at like 8.7 psi.

so, new crappy motomaster rad cap until i can afford to get a toyota one next week, and its holding pressure, and still running hot, but tolerable.

think i dodged the BHG bullet this time, thanks for all your help folks

i love this forum