Overheated to 250, died on side of highway, left stranded

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

After many years of research I sort of expected this from Boxsters so I am not upset or surprised over situation, actually I expected it much sooner, and I'm not rich but I have some money to throw at it. This is why I bought an older 2.5 base and not a newer 3.2 S, so I would have extra $$ for often repairs

Sounds like you should upgrade your mechanic & avoid downshifting on the freeway when your car is running hot. Also when your coolant level is low add distilled filtered water as it makes the engine cooler than antifreeze.

[stephen wilson]

Yeah, I hate to say it, but you and your mechanic made some bad decisions. You shouldn't continue to drive a car that is running hot, especially a Boxster.

I learned the hard way years ago. I had a coolant hose leak on an Acura, and thought I could drive it 1 mile to get home. That 1 mile lead to a blown head gasket.

[Ghostrider 310]

No disrespect but if you make it through this find another shop, the mechanic's guess that the gauge was off seems like a "drive it till it breaks again and return it" guy. Never, ever drive a car with an illuminated oil idiot light or cooling idiot light with reckless abandon, nothing good can happen. I hope your heads are not cracked.

PS I just remembered a customer who blew up his motor. He said to us "the oil light came on but I was only sixteen miles from home so I didn't pull over". Well then get ready to "fork" it over.....

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

Yeah, I hate to say it, but you and your mechanic made some bad decisions. You shouldn't continue to drive a car that is running hot, especially a Boxster.

I learned the hard way years ago. I had a coolant hose leak on an Acura, and thought I could drive it 1 mile to get home. That 1 mile lead to a blown head gasket.

Agreed. If I survive I will be taking vehicle elsewhere for troubleshooting. Maybe he's ok for routine maintenance? Tires, brakes, filters? Funny thing is hes the owner, three bay shop, has employees but still wrenches on occasion, known him for almost 10 years, he was even in my wedding

Oh well.....

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

Yeah, I hate to say it, but you and your mechanic made some bad decisions. You shouldn't continue to drive a car that is running hot, especially a Boxster.

I learned the hard way years ago. I had a coolant hose leak on an Acura, and thought I could drive it 1 mile to get home. That 1 mile lead to a blown head gasket.

If it was losing coolant i would love to know where it went because it wasn't under the vehicle....?

Full coolant Tuesday morning. Drove.... about 50 miles total, never saw coolant leaking at any time, even after sitting in garage overnight

[Topless]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

If it was losing coolant i would love to know where it went because it wasn't under the vehicle....?

Full coolant Tuesday morning. Drove.... about 50 miles total, never saw coolant leaking at any time, even after sitting in garage overnight

Three possible places coolant can go:
1. Floor of the garage- simple leak
2. Crankcase- Coolant/oil intermix
3. Combustion chamber (white smoke out the tailpipe)

My guess from your comments so far... cracked head due to overheat/failed waterpump. Sorry.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Sounds like you should upgrade your mechanic & avoid downshifting on the freeway when your car is running hot. Also when your coolant level is low add distilled filtered water as it makes the engine cooler than antifreeze.

Like post said, I was getting off highway. Can't do 20mph in 5th

I added distilled water Tuesday morning

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

Like post said, I was getting off highway. Can't do 20mph in 5th

I added distilled water Tuesday morning

You could cut the AC and reduce the parasitic drag, further in a situation like this many don't know that turning the heat on will cool the car a smidge by running the coolant through another small radiator.

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Sounds like you should upgrade your mechanic & avoid downshifting on the freeway when your car is running hot. Also when your coolant level is low add distilled filtered water as it makes the engine cooler than antifreeze.

Wow man, I'm really sorry to hear about that.
Yea man, I agree with GhostRider and everyone else on here. You need to ditch your mechanic. No car should be driven with the light on.

I've actually been getting overheating problems myself, but only when I have to start the car from a dead stop (i.e. stop sign or red light). I find that the temperature climbs a little every time I have to move the car from a dead stop. I had the mechanic look at it. No coolant leaks, water pump works fine, radiators and their fans work fine as well. We attributed it to the fact that it's 120 F in Arizona. It used to overheat a lot faster when I had the AC on, but since my AC broke, I haven't had that problem anymore. It doesn't seem to overheat when I'm on the freeway driving at a constant speed, only when it rolls from a dead stop.

I never let the engine get close to flashing. As soon as it crosses the 3/4th mark, I pull it over and let it cool. Everything else can wait.