Cooling System Issue

[iJay]

So untill last week I was having an issue with the heat in my car. Mechanic told me and from what limited knowledge I have I knew it was the thermostat.

So last thursday I have it changed, while driving back to work from the shop I noticed the car was running a bit hot, but nothing alarming.

Well this weekend I get on the highway and notice I am 3/4 of the way to hot. So I pull over and notice the resevior is empty. I get a bottle and fill the resevior and the rad. As I slowly opened the rad cap there was a tone of steam comming out and the coolant starts to boil in the resevior. I turn the car on, to fill the coolant and possibly burp the system. and notice the rad is spitting coolant from the top, which I have never seen before.

If I drive @ 100km/h or less on the highway I am fine, side streets if I am at 80km/h or less I am ok in a higher gear.

Anyone had this issue before?

My mechanic is saying there is a compression issue and leaning towards the head gasket. I have no issue repairing the car but want to make sure before I take the next steps.

The car still drives as normal, no noticable smoke out the tail pipe. I havent got around to checking the oil but it was changed a week ago which was just before the thermostat was changed.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

If there is a compression issue and your head gasket is going, it will be clear in your oil. I would buy 4 quarts and drain your oil. You'll see coolant in it if the HG is leaking.

 

[iJay]

I was quoted $600 to replace the head gasket. Is that about right?

 

[jtlinna]

I was quoted $600 to replace the head gasket. Is that about right?

Id charge $1200 so to me thats a steal.. But thats a master gasket set. New head bolts. New timing belt kit with the works. The head should be sent out and inspected for warps and cracks.


JT

 

[Jordysoso]

^ +1. Make sure, if it is the head gasket, that you get the head checked for warpage. The boiling coolant and everything sounds like what was wrong with mine when it was my head gasket. Get the water pump changed while you're at it

 

[iJay]

Just got back from the mechanic, he said 100% it is the head gasket. Right now its just an issue. Not that its gone. He did tell me when he takes the head off he will be sending it out to be machined as I do drive alot and he is aware of this. I do plan on keeping the car for a year maybe longer if it lasts.

He has reccomended Water pump, timing belt and the master gasket

 

[Jordysoso]

Sounds good, for the water pump, try to get your hands on a gates pump. The bearings are awesome and it has a lifetime warranty I believe

 

[jtlinna]

Just got back from the mechanic, he said 100% it is the head gasket. Right now its just an issue. Not that its gone. He did tell me when he takes the head off he will be sending it out to be machined as I do drive alot and he is aware of this. I do plan on keeping the car for a year maybe longer if it lasts.

He has reccomended Water pump, timing belt and the master gasket

Either head gaskets are intact and not leaking or they're shot. Yours is shot. Your losing coolant and from your post above it's over heated once already. Park the thing till you can get it fixed. If not you could end up cracking the head if it isn't already.

 

[jtlinna]

Not trying to be a jerk. Just trying to save you money.

 

[iJay]

nono, I appricate the advice, Im not one of these overly sensitve web kids LOL

But truth be told, this car is a huge gas saver. If I end up blowing the motor I have a spare that was built last summer.

Sounds stupid I know but haven a kid, it really slows down my urge for speed. I am still on the fence about installing a turbo motor or just selling it. My wife has her mind made up.

 

[iJay]

Id charge $1200 so to me thats a steal.. But thats a master gasket set. New head bolts. New timing belt kit with the works. The head should be sent out and inspected for warps and cracks.


JT

And oh, my mechanic charges me a reduced rate since I send him so much business and I supply him alot of parts. $600 I am not sure how he came to, but he did tell me the machining will be slightly extra anywhere from $90-$250 depending on how bad the part is.

 

[Fresco]

So untill last week I was having an issue with the heat in my car. Mechanic told me and from what limited knowledge I have I knew it was the thermostat.

So last thursday I have it changed, while driving back to work from the shop I noticed the car was running a bit hot, but nothing alarming.

Well this weekend I get on the highway and notice I am 3/4 of the way to hot. So I pull over and notice the resevior is empty. I get a bottle and fill the resevior and the rad. As I slowly opened the rad cap there was a tone of steam comming out and the coolant starts to boil in the resevior. I turn the car on, to fill the coolant and possibly burp the system. and notice the rad is spitting coolant from the top, which I have never seen before.

If I drive @ 100km/h or less on the highway I am fine, side streets if I am at 80km/h or less I am ok in a higher gear.

Anyone had this issue before?

My mechanic is saying there is a compression issue and leaning towards the head gasket. I have no issue repairing the car but want to make sure before I take the next steps.

The car still drives as normal, no noticable smoke out the tail pipe. I havent got around to checking the oil but it was changed a week ago which was just before the thermostat was changed.

I had this problem not to long ago after I replaced my radiator it turns out it was just air in the system, I had the whole boiling thing as well but no antifreeze in my oil so I knew it wasn't a head gasket. Since there is really no air bleeder (didn't find one) like in most/all hondas, I just basically had the rad cap off, and filled it through the reservior until it was good, haven't had the problem ever since and I'm on 147000 miles. Go get a compression test before you do anything and that will tell what's going on, who knows maybe you just have air in your system as well.

 

[iJay]

at this point id love it to be air in the system, when they checked the lower rad hose after a 20 minute drive it was cool to touch, which should have been hot and shows an issue with circulation. I will check the oil 2 nite tho.

Once I keep the car under 2500rpm there is no issue.

 

[Fresco]

at this point id love it to be air in the system, when they checked the lower rad hose after a 20 minute drive it was cool to touch, which should have been hot and shows an issue with circulation. I will check the oil 2 nite tho.

Once I keep the car under 2500rpm there is no issue.

if the lower rad hose is cool to touch then that means you have a clogged system or a bad water pump

 

[iJay]

Mechanic says the issue is with compression? Which is causing a lack of coolant circulation. Only a limited amount of coolant can pass thru the engine without being mixed into the oil.

If it was just the water pump I'd be laughing right now bc its soo much cheaper.

I spoke to the previous owner last nite, he told me he changed the water pump/TB @ 100,000km intervals its been changed twice, right now I am at 105,000km with this water pump and timing belt. I would really like if it was the WP TB!

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

FYI..

If He takes the head off... You should get him new bolts from mazda and instruct him on how they are to be torqued as detailed in a thread I have made called "How To Forge"

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123804053-HOW-TO-Forged-2.0L-FS&highlight=

 

[iJay]

Thanks brian, I am going to pass that info on to him!!

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

Win!!!

 

[speede5]

Hey, I'm in the middle of a head gasket change. Turns out my head was warped so had to track a new one down. Hopefully that is all. It was pretty evident where fluid was traveling when I took the head off.

Not trying to hijack but why do so many people recommend new water pumps? I hadn't thought about it but now I'm nervous. I bought the car after the gasket failure so I have no idea what works and doesn't. Is it convo niece or are the stock pumps crap? I am pretty sure someone tried Bars leak or another additive , not sure that would contaminate the pump? So what gives?

Also planning on reusing the head bolts. They are well within the recommended measurements. Bad idea?

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

Because when the gasket is off, the timing belt is off and you need to remove the timing belt to change the water pump...

Might as well change it when it's off.... rather than have to remove it later..

you can reuse the bolts if you like... but why the Eff would you risk an engine over a $4.00 Bolt..