"Steamed" over my Shadow
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2
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"Steamed" over my Shadow
For some reason unknown to me, my 1990 Shadow puked up all of her antifreeze while I was out earlier today. It didn't all come gushing out at once, but it's all over the transmission, all over the exhaust pipe, and all over the brand new heater valve. I don't know much about this car, my old Valiant was A LOT easier to figure out.
I had a coolant leak for the last two weeks, which I figured I'd resolved this morning when I replaced a hose and the heater valve. For the first little while I had no heat, but I think that was caused by there being a lack of coolant in the heater core. Eventually the heat started working as normal again. Then after about 3 hrs of the heat working, I was coming to an intersection when I was surrounded by steam from the front of the car. I pulled over and sure enough, the rad was almost bone-dry. I dumped 3/4 of a gallon in the rad and nursed her home, with the same steamy result.
From what I can tell, the coolant goes in the front of the 2.5, and out just under the TB and curves toward the driver's side.
Have I overlooked something? Any ideas on where the problem lies?
I had a coolant leak for the last two weeks, which I figured I'd resolved this morning when I replaced a hose and the heater valve. For the first little while I had no heat, but I think that was caused by there being a lack of coolant in the heater core. Eventually the heat started working as normal again. Then after about 3 hrs of the heat working, I was coming to an intersection when I was surrounded by steam from the front of the car. I pulled over and sure enough, the rad was almost bone-dry. I dumped 3/4 of a gallon in the rad and nursed her home, with the same steamy result.
From what I can tell, the coolant goes in the front of the 2.5, and out just under the TB and curves toward the driver's side.
Have I overlooked something? Any ideas on where the problem lies?
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
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RE: "Steamed" over my Shadow
It could be that you have blown a head gasket just on one side. Usually though, you will only make it a couple miles or so before the fluid runs out. I would cjeck your dipstick to see if any water remains are on the stick. If so, then you blew a head gasket and you could be in a world of hurt!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
RE: "Steamed" over my Shadow
my lebaron 2.5L broke a heater check valve (located under the air cleaner to the left of the power booster), i'd check that when you get it running and see if it sprays out from there( costs about 10.00). Also chk your radiator cap, all hoses, thermostat, raditor (for cracks), water pump for leaks and make sure the bearings in the w/p pulley are good, and proper coolant mixture (50/50) . Also those engines hate heat and will blow a head fast or worse yet warp your head/block. If you think your head gasket is blown chk for water in the oil or vice versa, and do a compression test.
