Afraid of the answer.....

[911monty]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

The other thing I am going to try is disconnecting the quick release on the hose coming from the top of the oil cooler and then starting the car.

I'm going to need to flush and change the coolant anyway at this point.

This theory makes a lot of sense because somehow the overflow hose is being fed a steady stream of coolant.

I wonder what the flow rate from that hose from the oil cooler should be?

Also I'm going to see about procuring a pressure tester.

Inspector Clouseau will resume his work tomorrow.

The theory makes a lot of sense because the tank has been eliminated as the source of the coolant.

The source now has to be from the engine. Since the hose that failed was the oil cooler vent, This is the logical conclusion.

[robdelorenzo]

So if the hose from the oil cooler is connected to the overflow hose by mistake doesn't that mean that one of the other two hoses is also not connected properly or there is another hose that is not connected at all out of the 3 coming out of the overflow tank?

I really need an accurate diagram of these hoses and I don't have one.

Next investment is a Bentley Manual.

[911monty]

Yes it would mean there are improperly connected hoses. That is why I will suggest getting a picture of the manifold from inside the engine compartment (as I took) and the manifold inside the trunk that you took previously, only including the hoses to the manifold. They should be straight and not crossed over.

I have the Bently manual and it does not show these connections.

[robdelorenzo]

I'll try it but it's so tight in there and I don't have the right tools or dexterity for working that tight in there in the dark. (but I will try)

It's not right that the hoses are missing clamps, either.

I tried to put the coolant bottle in myself first to save a few bucks and failed miserably.

I then hired a CL mechanic who screwed it all up while I was trying to save a few bucks.

I then had to pay the mechanic to do it correctly (which he did, it runs great!)

Lesson learned there as well (and of course the hard way)

I'll see what I can do tomorrow.

But when I go in on Tue am, I know what I need him to do first.

Thanks and I don't see how it could be anything else (although it can)

He may have crossed hoses when he replaced the melted fitting (it happens)

Then we replaced the cap and that was not it ("It's still doing it")

I don't know if he bled the system or only added coolant, either. I never thought to ask. He did tell me he added a gallon of coolant, which wasn't as much as I had thought was lost in the meltdown. When those drops of water hit the cats at a stop light in traffic, it's Wagnerian Opera.

I now know.

I can pull the panel and feel the water pump bearing and pulley tomorrow, but I don't think that's the problem.

If it is the impeller, then the only way to know that is to pull it out and look at it.

I'm sure there are things I'm missing, but this is what I have learned so far.

You have been most helpful and encouraging.

Thank you.

[911monty]

Here is a picture of the hoses as they should be in the trunk,

[robdelorenzo]

It's the hoses on the other side of the firewall that I don't have a diagram of.

The fitting that blew is on the other side of the firewall and that's where he made the repair (he told me that was all he did)

I don't think he touched these hoses (but I may be wrong)

But just so I understand correctly, the bottom hose out of the bottle should go to the drain tube on the other side. Right?

So if it's somehow connected to the hose that comes out of the oil cooler, every time the engine it's going right down the drain?

[911monty]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

I'll try it but it's so tight in there and I don't have the right tools.

I tried to put the bottle in and failed miserably.

I paid the mechanic to install it after a CL mechanic I hired screwed it all up.

Lesson learned there as well.


I can pull the panel and feel the water pump bearing and pulley tomorrow, but I don't think that's the problem.

If it is the impeller, then the only way to know is to pull it out and look at it.

I'm sure there are things I'm missing, but this is what I have learned so far.

Well this detail makes me feel better. I had wanted to ask who changed the tank HAHA.
I think you may want a new mechanic.

I'd REALLY be interested in a pic of the manifold from inside the engine compartment and the trunk......

I'm not too concerned about the water pump at this point. I believe the worst that could have happened to it would be whatever happened when the pulley grenaded that there might have been enough deflection in the shaft to allow the impeller blades to make contact with the block and may have been sanded down a bit.

[911monty]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

It's the hoses on the other side of the firewall that I don't have a diagram of.

The fitting that blew is on the other side of the firewall and that's where he made the repair (he told me that was all he did)

I don't think he touched these hoses (but I may be wrong)

Yes I know. However from the pic I supplied it will be obvious if they are wrong.

[robdelorenzo]

I see now.

[robdelorenzo]

But the tank was done by them months ago.

It was never an issue until the day the pulley went bad.

Someone earlier in the thread did refer me to a different mechanic near where I live in case I need it (thank you for that)

So we will see.

Maybe I'll be able to do it.

I will also get you a photo.

[911monty]

This is the next logical step. Too much time and long distance troubleshooting to assume or take anything for granted now. We're getting closer though.

[robdelorenzo]

Point taken.

The car still runs great.

It just has a bladder problem.

[Nine8Six]

If its loosing coolant, you could ideally run two tubes from under the driver and passenger seats up to the water pump. Car needs to be parked outdoor for this mod to work. It would refill your coolant tank periodically and protect the immobilizer at the same time.

Sorry to be sarcastic, read 'bladder problem' and couldn't resist. Sorry.

Hope your indy will be able pressurize that misbehaving cooling system for you this Tuesday and let you know what's wrong with it. Luck man

[robdelorenzo]

Back at it.
It's a new day so a few things to try.
I will also get some photos of the manifold hoses.
We will see.

[robdelorenzo]

Nothing short of maddening.

Just for laughs I unplugged the connection that the mechanic put into the hose from the top of the oil cooler and started the car for a few seconds.

Needless to say, coolant was flowing everywhere and at a very high rate.
There's no way that hose is connected directly to the drain hose as it's just too high of a flow rate.

But, for the brief few seconds I did have it disconnected, I did not see anything coming out of the drain hose!

I reconnected the hose and then lightly sprayed everything down with water to get the coolant off of the car and engine. I then let it sit a bit and then started it up.

It started draining drops and a small amount of coolant again out of the hose.
I drove it around a bit and noticed that it was draining most of the drive.

I pulled it back into the garage and noticed that there was steam coming out of the drain hole and the side of the car. That was probably some of the water I used to lightly was off the coolant.

I then started it up two different times and nothing was dripping out of the drain!

I will also take some photos of the manifold after it cools down a bit.

[Anker]

You really shouldn't mess with something you don't understand.

[robdelorenzo]

Very true.

I did loosen the belt and feel the water pump pulley.

I am pretty certain that I felt vertical play in the bearing, which can't be good.

I'm not doing anything else except going to the mechanic tomorrow.

I'm in over my head.

At least I have a little bit more information to give him.

[robdelorenzo]

I talked to the mechanic at length yesterday.
He wants $1100 to replace the water pump and thermostat!
I'm not willing to gamble that kind of money at this point.
Call me crazy, but I'm going to DIY the water pump and thermostat, flush the system, clean the front radiators, and see what happens.
I'll gamble the $300, some skinned knuckles perhaps, and an afternoon to see what's going on. If it still leaks or the head gasket is blown or worse, than it's either for sale or to the scrap yard it goes.
On the other hand, if it solves my problem and best case scenario is I get some more life out of the car or can sell it while it's running.
Worst case is I'm out $300 and some time.
Inspecting the impeller will reveal a lot and where to go from there.

[Quadcammer]

I have a nearly new waterpump (1k miles) that I'll give you for a great price.

let me know.

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by robdelorenzo

Call me crazy, but I'm going to DIY the water pump and thermostat, flush the system, clean the front radiators, and see what happens.

Great call.