darkside2003

So I have a 2003 lancer es, 4g94, with around 141,000k. I got the car from my mechanic in a trade for my truck when the tranny went out about 2 months ago. When I first got it there where no problems but now I have an overheating problem and can't find out why. First I'll say that the car will start fine (sometimes, it has a starting problem I'm still figuring out) and at idle in park will be around normal temp and when cruising the car is fine but sitting in traffic or a long light the temp will shoot up pretty fast but when I start driving again it will go down. I have so far replaced all the hoses and hose clamps and radiator cap. I don't know if there are any leaks because I can see none but my coolant levels will go down really fast and usually after about two days I will need to refill it. not sure what else to do, so far overheating and starting issues are it with car. :help me: thank you to anyone who can help.

marcouxa1

Im sorry to say this to you but you might have a blown head gasket :/ when your car is hot look in your coolant reservoir see if there is any bubbles coming out at idle...if there is none try revving and keeping the car at around 3-4k rpm and see if there is any bubbles again. Let me know your results.

darkside2003

I will check right now since Im at home and doing nothing but I do hear a pretty loud bubbling sound after I get home from driving around a lot.

darkside2003

so I just got back from the store and checked the fluid while at idle and the level went down by a 1/4 and is bubbling

RT78

marcouxa1 hit it right on the head, head gasket leak,if you don't see any leaks from doing an inspection of the cooling system, it's an internal leak. You're gonna want to get that taken care of asap.

todd6027

iTrader: (10)

does your rad fan work

marcouxa1

You should get that replaced asap before your head cracks and bends....if you're lucky they might be able to resurface the head....if not its going to cost you either an engine or a head depending on how severe and what is the most cost effective.

darkside2003

So how much labor time and cost of everything am I looking at? And the radiator fans do work.

RT78

The standard shop time for a head gasket change is 4.6 hrs, add in the machining of the head (which I would think should be no more than $100 more) and I would put it around $600-$800,depending on how much the shop charges for labor(I figured $80/hr, plus rounded up to 5 hrs shop time). Also, check the condition of your oil(when you pull out the dipstick or easier yet on the back of the rad. cap), if it's milky looking and frothy it needs to be changed. Coolant contaminated oil is not a good thing for your motor, the coolant's going somewhere, if it's not leaking out of the motor then it's leaking inside and from my experiences with head gasket leaks most of the time an internal leak will leave you with coolant in the crankcase.

Correction: The back of the rad. cap is used for checking the condition of the coolant not oil, if it looks like the pic below, that's a BIG problem

todd6027

iTrader: (10)

did you check the thermostat

darkside2003

I found this when I took the radiator cap off, not sure if you can see my phone takes crappy pictures

RT78

I hope that's not bar's stop leak in there. But that looks like oil is mixing with the coolant. I'd hate to say it but your cooling system is probably clogged up from the sludge inside of it. I'm thinking the thermostat is stuck closed(from the gunk), and the heater core is probably clogged as well, there's your overheating problem. Your gasket is DEFINITELY leaking and it's internal. I highly recommend you don't drive that car if at all possible and get it to a shop as soon as you can. With that amount of crap in the cooling system unfortunately that's gonna cost more than just the head gasket job, anywhere from maybe $250-$500 depending on the extent of the cooling system clogging.I'm hoping the coolant veins running through the block aren't clogged as well. This very situation is why head gasket leaks can potentially kill car.