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  #1  
Old 03-04-2010, 07:38 AM
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Ownbot Ownbot is offline
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Overheating

Well I have pretty much had it with my car. Overheating issues just continue to get worse. At this point I fill up the rad and drive it a couple of miles and it overheats. It just boils out of the overflow tank. I just need to diagnose what the problem is. I believe it to be the head gasket but if its burning so much coolant I don't even see how it could run. It does have white smoke on start up but it has always had that. I had my local mechanic change the thermostat and he says there is no sign of oil in the coolant, and coolant in the oil. I can't even make it to Budfreaks (Jason) to have him look at it. If it needs a head gasket I most likely will not fix it. I'm prepared to sell it for anything I can get and move on to a more reliable car. I would hate to do that but I'm just sick and tired of this damn car.

What do you guys think?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 03-04-2010, 08:13 AM
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Wikedjuggalo Wikedjuggalo is offline
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Re: Overheating

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ownbot View Post
Well I have pretty much had it with my car. Overheating issues just continue to get worse. At this point I fill up the rad and drive it a couple of miles and it overheats. It just boils out of the overflow tank. I just need to diagnose what the problem is. I believe it to be the head gasket but if its burning so much coolant I don't even see how it could run. It does have white smoke on start up but it has always had that. I had my local mechanic change the thermostat and he says there is no sign of oil in the coolant, and coolant in the oil. I can't even make it to Budfreaks (Jason) to have him look at it. If it needs a head gasket I most likely will not fix it. I'm prepared to sell it for anything I can get and move on to a more reliable car. I would hate to do that but I'm just sick and tired of this damn car.

What do you guys think?

Thanks
Oil and coolant do not mix on our cars. You car does need head gaskets done. If you fix the head gaskets you don't really have anything to worry about after that. Any car you buy is going to have maintenance. You are probably better of just fixing it . No one is going to give you much for it with a blown head gasket. Just get it fixed and you will be happy, might cost a bit but then you are good to go for a long time.


EDIT: OT is like 2hrs from you just giving you options.
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1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater.
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Last edited by Wikedjuggalo; 03-04-2010 at 08:16 AM.
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  #3  
Old 03-04-2010, 12:08 PM
sowise sowise is offline
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Re: Overheating

Exhaust gas and coolant is what mixes. Either your coolant is leaking into your exhaust or vice versa, you can even get high temp exhaust bubbles in your coolant which is why it over heats so fast upon driving it. Replace head gaskets. If you want proof smell your coolant ... I bet it smells like exhaust.
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  #4  
Old 03-04-2010, 12:29 PM
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svxcess svxcess is offline
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Re: Overheating

.


Take it from my 1996 Polo with 125,000 miles, which had exactly the same symptoms as you have, and more than one diagnosis.

Head gaskets.


Because of other internal issues, I had a rebuilt short block installed, with new Cometic head gaskets. I am never worrying about this problem again.

Looking at around $800-$1000.

.
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1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
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In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
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HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


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  #5  
Old 03-04-2010, 03:14 PM
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Ownbot Ownbot is offline
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Re: Overheating

Quote:
Originally Posted by svxcess View Post
.


Take it from my 1996 Polo with 125,000 miles, which had exactly the same symptoms as you have, and more than one diagnosis.

Head gaskets.


Because of other internal issues, I had a rebuilt short block installed, with new Cometic head gaskets. I am never worrying about this problem again.

Looking at around $800-$1000.

.
Only 800 to 100? That's not bad at all. My friend had her HG done about two years ago at the dealership and it was 2k.

Maybe OT or Budfreak could do it for around that amount. I would def get it fixed.

Thanks for the info gentlemen.

Any more replies on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
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  #6  
Old 03-04-2010, 04:51 PM
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TomsSVX TomsSVX is offline
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Re: Overheating

$800-$1000??? lol its a 15hr job (for someone who knows what they are doing) and parts cost near $800 if you are going to do it right...

20 year old car is going to have 20 year old problems.

Tom
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  #7  
Old 03-04-2010, 08:18 PM
svxpert svxpert is offline
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Re: Overheating

<<$800-$1000??? lol its a 15hr job (for someone who knows what they are doing) and parts cost near $800 if you are going to do it right...>>

agreed. maybe he did all his labor?
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  #8  
Old 03-04-2010, 08:53 PM
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svxcess svxcess is offline
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Re: Overheating

.

According to SVX92-97's post, svxfiles did his head gasket repair on his 96 polofor just under $1000, parts, labor, and machine shop charges.

That post can be found HERE

That was 18 months ago, parts prices may have risen since then.


.
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.
Subaru Ambassador

1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

.
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  #9  
Old 03-04-2010, 10:12 PM
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svxfiles svxfiles is offline
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Re: Overheating

Quote:
Originally Posted by svxcess View Post
.

According to SVX92-97's post, svxfiles did his head gasket repair on his 96 polofor just under $1000, parts, labor, and machine shop charges.

That post can be found HERE

That was 18 months ago, parts prices may have risen since then.
.
Yes John, that was when I was only charging $35.00 an hour.
And It took a LOT longer than the 14 hours that I promised.
There is no way that a qualified mechanic can do this job for $1000.00.
Hell, the gasket kit costs more than $250.00 now!
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  #10  
Old 03-04-2010, 10:30 PM
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Re: Overheating

Quote:
Originally Posted by svxfiles View Post
Yes John, that was when I was only charging $35.00 an hour.
And It took a LOT longer than the 14 hours that I promised.
There is no way that a qualified mechanic can do this job for $1000.00.
Hell, the gasket kit costs more than $250.00 now!
And just for everyone's information, that does NOT include the (at least) six hours' time Tom "donated" to road test the car. The only way to road test a head gasket problem is to take it to the longest, steepest hill in the area and run it to the top. That's about 30 minutes from here.

Tom doesn't charge NEARLY enough for the work he does. But if you're expecting to get the kind of bargain the aforementioned customer got, it ain't gonna happen. You can expect reasonable prices, way lower than any dealer, and someone with lots of experience with these cars. But not in the $800.00-$1,000.00 range.

By the way, you could buy a brand new Mustang for $3,200.00...........





.....in 1966.

Prices have certainly gone up.
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  #11  
Old 03-05-2010, 10:20 AM
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Re: Overheating

I'm sorry to hear all this guys. OT I really appreciate what you have done for me in the past but this time I will not be repairing this. I can not spend this kind of money on this car. I'll just junk it since it's not worth anything now.
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  #12  
Old 03-05-2010, 10:35 AM
sowise sowise is offline
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Re: Overheating

You should atleast try to sell it rather than junk it. I don't think junking a car because of a HG failure is too much $$ or hassle is fair. What would you have done if you needed a timing belt? You bought an older car that was bound to need maintenance. The most expensive thing about these cars is the cost of other peoples labor. You could save alot of $$ if you learn to do your own maintenance.

I strongly suggest selling your car if you choose not to repair it. You won't get anything for junking it anyway.
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  #13  
Old 03-05-2010, 10:49 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
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Re: Overheating

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ownbot View Post
What do you guys think?
If you keep and repair the SVX, you'll know what's been done to it since you've had it, and what it's likely to need. Buy something else and you're starting over from scratch.

dcb
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  #14  
Old 03-05-2010, 01:06 PM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Re: Overheating

So what is a more realistic price to expect for this job? Just curious (well more like frightened)!
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  #15  
Old 03-05-2010, 01:10 PM
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Wikedjuggalo Wikedjuggalo is offline
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Re: Overheating

For the price of buying an actual POS you could fix this. I don't see how buying another car is the most economical way to go about this. Its your car and you will do what you want with but maybe thing about it. You probably have already replaced the trans or something else major so by fixing this you won't have much else to worry about.
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1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater.
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