should I tow my car to the shop or get some coolant?

[FreshPrince]

I got the check engine light on my way home last night. popped the hood and saw that the coolant tank is completely empty. I also noticed a slight burnt smell.

I don't want to drive the car to the shop now. So, should I fill in some coolant first and then drive it to the shop, or should I have it towed there?

thanks,

-FP

 

[zoiks]

Look at the temperature gauge. Does that show hot? The coolant tank is just an overflow reservoir. The check engine light could mean anything.

 

[Bassyhead]

When the engine is cool, take the cap on top of the radiator off and see if you see any coolant.

 

[The Stigenator]

also take off your oil cap when the engine is cool and if it looks liek mayonese out there on teh underside, you got a headgasket problem, you got a leak boy. water and oil are mixing.

 

[FreshPrince]

just got back from the dealer...$1500 to fix

radiator and AC leaking from what looks like puncture holes. how or why they got there is unknown, but I feel like everytime I take a vehicle to the dealer, I might as well bent over and take it like a man :|

they gave me a loaner 2006 camry and it drives pretty smoothly though

 

[brxndxn]

$1500 seems like a bit much.. A new radiator in my Camaro was like $280 for the part and maybe $120 to install.

 

[cjgallen]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
just got back from the dealer...$1500 to fix

Uhhhh

 

[IonYou]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
just got back from the dealer...$1500 to fix

radiator and AC leaking from what looks like puncture holes. how or why they got there is unknown, but I feel like everytime I take a vehicle to the dealer, I might as well bent over and take it like a man :|

they gave me a loaner 2006 camry and it drives pretty smoothly though

men don't bend over and take it, girly man.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
$1500 seems like a bit much.. A new radiator in my Camaro was like $280 for the part and maybe $120 to install.

The A/C Condenser is more expensive to replace though.

 

[Shawn]

bring is someplace else ASAP.

 

[Eli]

The Check engine light doesen't come on when the engine is low on coolant... unless it does on new cars and I'm not aware of it.

Actually, I think automobile engines should employ the same technology that small engines do.

Low-oil shutdown. A filter comming lose, or someone forgetting to tighten the drain bolt all the way down shouldn't result in a dead engine.

There could be an overtemp shutdown too. It would probably save a lot of engines.

WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE ENGINES?

 

[FreshPrince]

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/FreshPrince/metal.jpg

this is the piece of metal that was lodged in my radiator...which caused the leaking of coolant and AC.

oh well...sh1t happens.

 

[skyking]

that really sucks. Do you have alloy wheels? that is a wheel weight from an alloy wheel, likely spit up off the road by the tire of a passing car. Bad luck!

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
I got the check engine light on my way home last night. popped the hood and saw that the coolant tank is completely empty. I also noticed a slight burnt smell.

I don't want to drive the car to the shop now. So, should I fill in some coolant first and then drive it to the shop, or should I have it towed there?

thanks,

-FP

Ouch, thats very bad. You may have warped the cylinder head or blown a headgasket.

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: skyking
that really sucks. Do you have alloy wheels? that is a wheel weight from an alloy wheel, likely spit up off the road by the tire of a passing car. Bad luck!

ya, something popped up on the highway yesterday, but it was so small that it just seemed like I ran over it without much problem...and I didn't give it much thought. Once he showed this thing....it all came back....that's what it was

 

[0roo0roo]

add water. drive buy coolant. flush. done!!

 

[thomsbrain]

i got nearly a completely new A/C system for less than $2K (only the compressor and evaporator stayed). the dealer is definetely raping you, but for some people, i guess it's worth it to not have to worry about where to take it.