Hi,

I was driving my car and all of the sudden the coolant warning light came on. So, I looked at my temperature meter and it was all the way up, I parked and smoke was coming out of my hood. Now, probably couple of weeks ago I checked the oil and it was really low, and didn't change it because I forgot (my low oil warning light is not working). Anyways, I put coolant on it and drove home after letting the car cool down. As I was going home the car overheated again, but I slowed down to like 30 mph and the temperature needle stayed in between middle and 3/4. I took it to the mechanic and he changed the thermostat, but then he told me that the engine was bad and unless I want to change the engine my car was done for.
When you start the car, it takes about 10 min for the needle to immediately go to 3/4, and the coolant we put in, it throws it away. Now, I checked my engine oil today (4 days after) and it looks like chocolate milk. What's wrong?
People tell me water pump, blown headgasket, but I don't know. Thank you,

Rony

 

most of the time it is the waterpump. You have the 2.7 engine?
Sometimes you can put a waterpump in and change the oil twice, and get you back on the road. Sometimes, damage is alrdy done.
How many miles you got on the vehicle?
Is the rest of the vehicle holding up well? is it worth a reman engine?
For the 2.7 engine, I would try to stay away from Junk Yard Motor. These engine are very unforgiven when it comes to oil change, you have to change oil every 3k religiously.

 

Hi,
Yes it's a 2.7 engine. It has 155k and the rest of the vehicle, well, it has never given me any problems at all (except when the battery light came on I changed the alternator), and also I have never given it any maintenance, just a tune up 4 years ago. One more question, how can you tell if damage is already done? or how can a mechanic tell? do they have to change the water pump and see or maybe they can tell from something else. Thank you,

Rony