Originally Posted by fade
Ok, i have a chilton, but it's not very helpful (as ones i've had for other vehicles).
She says the last time she stopped it made like one clank sound. so she pulled over. Used a funnel to pour in coolant.. just a little dribbled over. She doesn't recall seeing any white smoke, but she was also driving at night.
When i put the key in and turn it, everything looks/sounds fine... Even when i try to turn it over, it sounds like it's gonna at first, but then it just keeps trying to turn over. not sure if that would be considered the emtpy metallic noise =\
The radiator and coolant holder don't seem to hold any fluid. I may try and put some in, cuz if it were the water pump, it would only leak while running right?
Ok, ok...
First I'm pretty sure it ain't the head gasket or else it woulda smoked like a motha...like alot of smoke clouding out the street...Although it's possible because it could mean no compression....
Second, Here's what to do...
1. check for spark
pull out a spark plug, preferably #1 (driver side), and hold it real close to the block of the engine, or anything metal that would make a ground, or use a screwdriver, and have ur fiancee turn over motor, if it sparks ur good, if not could be:
1- anyhthing with ignition, ie coil, ignitor...
2- spark plugs, but highly unlikely
2. If u got spark, listen for the "empty metallic noise", it sounds unlike ur engine is supposed to... it's supposed to go "ru-huhuhuh" normally, like it's "cranking" over hence the name... If it sounds like just the flywheel is spinning, or it makes a noise like less engine is being turned over, it could be:
1- timing belt, also timing belt is connected by the timing belt to the water pump, so maybe a failed water pumped cause belt to break??
Just look for spark first n get back to me...
If coolant is "disappearing" from the radiator it';s def a leak of some sort, but ur car should still start normally....
Is there any Check Engine Lights??
P.S. It's scary that she said it made a clank sound, cause it really could be timing belt= NO GOOD. Mine broke on me 3-days before we were set to cahnge it on weekend, how many miles u got??
-Mike