Check for a blown head gasket -- compression test the cylinders and do leak down tests.

 

Thanks, it was the head gasket.

Before ripping the engine apart, my boyfriend tried to seal it with stuff you put in the radiator. The Barr's was $10, but was a pain to use and didn't work. The K&W Nanotechnology was $20, easy to use, and seems to have fixed the problem.

So far 150 miles and no boiling into the reserve and no over heating.

One note, we pulled 2 of the plugs at a time when we ran the K&W Nano, so the pressure of the cylinders wouldn't interfere with the sealant.

..........Linda

 

Linda, what exactly did you guys do? I'm not familiar with the K&W Nanotechnology...any input?

 

They sell this at auto parts stores like Autozone or Checkers. There is a whole section for radiator repair and head gasket repair. Make sure you get the head gasket repair.

The stuff comes in a neon green quart bottle and you have to drain/flush the radiator, pull the thermostat, then run this through the engine for 30 minutes, then drain the radiator. It dries over night, then you flush again and put in your antifreeze and go.

For $20 and an hour of time it was worth it. The brand was K&W nanotechnology.

So far, it's worked Ok for a month. I'll provide another update next month.

.....Linda

 

Bad news, I only got about 1,000 miles out of the fix, then the car started over heating again.

Look like it will need the head gasket after all.

..........L

 

Ouch, sorry to hear that. Shop around if you didn't fix it already, I ended up getting mine done for $700 at an Independent shop.