My vehicle overheated about two weeks back, couldn't tell if it was the thermostat or the coolant bleeder housing as the culprit. I had coolant spitting out of the bleeder housing, but that could have been the weak point in the cooling system and maybe it was the thermostat as the problem (that was my thinking anyway) Took it to the mechanic, he said it was the bleeder housing, fixed it and all seemed well. Temp gauge was sitting between 8 and 830.

Today it went to about 9, and then crept up to almost red (got to the parking lot at work before it got too hot again).

Any idea what the problem could be or I should consider next? Bad bleeder housing? Bad water pump (hasn't been changed since I've owned it since about 60k miles)? Blown head gasket? Bad thermostat? Clogged radiator? Air in cooling system?

125k miles. Oil looks clean to me.

 

Low on coolant of air in the system would be the cheapest things to check first.

 

Losing coolant. It's the water pump. 125k miles, $870 just to replace water pump. Do I do it? Do I do the whole show (timing chain, etc.) while they're in there?

Any advice appreciated.

 

What year? What engine?

 

If it's a 2.7L take it to a reputable shop, and do the works. Chain, guides, pump, etc. It's going to be pricey, but it's very risky just doing the pump, you may end up tearing it back apart very soon anyway.

Quotes I got were between $3k and $4k.

 

2.7 has a chain?

 

3 of them to be exact. 1 Main chain, and 2 Cam chains. They're notorious for wearing through the guides, breaking the chain, and leaving you searching for a new motor.

 

Interesting. the 2.7 I had in my Sebring had a belt.

 

2004, the engine is the 2.7.

$3-4k worth of work for a car that's blue booking for 2k or so doesn't make much sense to me. This is my daily driver for a commute to work, I put 6k miles a year on it. I'm better off getting a beater honda for that $3-4k.

How do you sell a stratus with a bad water pump?!?!?

 

Just like any other car with a known problem. State it up front. Know that you will get less for it. Bout all you can do.