Suspect the fuel pump died and caused it to overheat. Overheating can cause a blown head gasket or worse warp the head. What did he do for $597? Just replace a few hoses and coolant?--- thats more like $100. A water pump would be perhaps $200 more installed. Sounds like you weren't so lucky it happing there - they appear to have ripped you off. Pulling the head, checking it for warpage, shaving it could easily cost $500-1000. Had he told you it would cost $1200 to fix it you probably would have got a second estimate.
Tires Plus
Jan 22, 2006
8 Replies
The engine of my toyota camry 1993 super heated causing the coolant hose to break. Luckily this happened right next to a tiresplus store. The service technician was really nice and he did a couple of things, suggested some hose changes and claimed to clean the engine.
However the engine was still unclean and as soon as I drove out of the shop for over 5 - 6 miles, the engine heated up again. Now I have managed to reach the apartment.
The manager has asked to bring the car back for a second look at it.
My doubt is why don't they fix the issue when they see a problem.
They did charge me 597 dollars for all the changes.
Cheers, Sam
well he also replaced the two front tires. his whole sheet reads like "clean radiator and all this"
now what do I do? he has called me again to inspect the car tomorrow.
if the fuel pump is dead, so am I.
Good God man, don't go back to him!...$597. for what?...also if it's the fuel pump then you may send the bill to me...no fuel pump ever caused any engine to overheat like you describe. I'd suspect a plugged up radiator core maybe
If the water pump is broke, how do I run a diagnostic on it at home.
Opps - mean water pump!
The water pump on my 97 Cavalier went out but it told me by draining out all my coolant/water everywhere I drove. Check your coolant reserves, drive it around the block a few times (check for water on the road if you can) and check your coolant again. If your coolant level went down at all it is your water pump most likely. Brian
The most common symptom of a failed water pump is a coolant leak from the front of the engine. There is no easy way to check it out without removing it from the engine.
Other possible causes of your overheating are a bad thermostat, incorrect thermostat, incorrectly installed thermostat, blockage in the cooling system, broken electric cooling fan, bad radiator cap, and incorrect coolant mix - it should be a 50% mix. If you are using straight water, the engine will probably overheat.
If the engine was severely overheated, the head gasket may be leaking and/or the head may be warped or cracked.
Other less likely causes are incorrect ignition timing and low oil pressure.
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