$948 and $1,339 and the coolant still leaks

ginab · 04-27-2009, 01:44 PM

I really like my ford contour. it's a manual transmission. I have been bilked (I know this (see title)). Any ideas anyone why I still smell coolant AFTER the water pump (because coolant was draining from the res), timing belt and parts, another belt, sparks, and a valve gasket were all replaced; then the engine nearly blew (two weeks later) so the head gasket is repaired (very iffy), hoses are replaced.

Why am I smelling coolant when I accelorate to 45 mph?

ElectrolysisDoc · 04-27-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginab

I really like my ford contour. it's a manual transmission. I have been bilked (I know this (see title)). Any ideas anyone why I still smell coolant AFTER the water pump (because coolant was draining from the res), timing belt and parts, another belt, sparks, and a valve gasket were all replaced; then the engine nearly blew (two weeks later) so the head gasket is repaired (very iffy), hoses are replaced.

Why am I smelling coolant when I accelorate to 45 mph?

That is a lot of money, and a lot of work. How did it all start? Did you have a puddle? Were you able to see the replaced parts? What year is it? Which engine? How many miles?

Are you still losing coolant?

ginab · 04-27-2009, 02:39 PM

It's a 1997 standard 4 cl American engine. I realized coolant was low because I had no heat. This happened suddenly. The res was dry. I had it topped up and I made sure I had coolant along for a ride I had to go on. As soon as I returned from that journey, needing to top up before getting home, I took it into the shop where they said it needed a new water pump. The car has 123k miles and the timing belt had never been replaced. Another minor belt, sparks, and a valve gasket to cure a minor oil leak = $948.

I smelled coolant following this repair, but folks said I would smell engine related smells after such a repair.

The car has never overheated and yet it did, two weeks after the $948, I'm on the highway ten minutes when it happens and powie I am into repairing a head gasket and hoses are replaced for $1,339.

I haven't checked the res. I'm kind of angry.

mark v · 04-27-2009, 03:28 PM

Take it back and tell them they didnt fix the issue and you just wasted $1000 on repairs that were not needed!

ginab · 04-28-2009, 08:20 AM

I didn't smell coolant this morning. Even ran the heater in case the coils leak. I'm taking it into a trusted mechanic really early tomorrow, Wednesday, morning and I'll know more then.

I would be glad to have money returned for supposed labor put into my car, which this last time sat Friday, sat through a weekend; was worked on Monday a.m., then sat (the head gasket went to a shop Monday afternoon for repair and wasn't returned until Thursday morning) until Thursday afternoon.

I appreciate you both here a heap. I think its a standard 2 lt american engine (realized this after i'd posted). I'll post more later.

thanks again!

ElectrolysisDoc · 04-27-2009, 08:00 PM

Check the reservoir and post back. We need to know if you have an active coolant loss. If so, we need to find it.

mark v · 04-28-2009, 08:26 AM

Well if the new mechanic can prove the first place didnt do as they said you should get some money back.

FYI... tell everyone how bad the first place sucked. Word of mouth is the best advertising!