overheating problem

My '94 t-bird is a sweet ride, but for the last few days it has started overheating and then there is no water in the reserve, I refill it with alot of water. I have only water in it now. But there is no noticeable leak or other problem so where is it all going? I am a do it yourselfer so please help with tech info!!!!

Schellie

well, for one, you need to put some coolant in it, water alone will not displace the heat fast enough and so you will continue to overheat. water has a low boiling point so it will heat up quick, expand and pressurize and then likely exit through overflow. Glycol obviously has a higher boiling point and so will be way more efficient in cooling your car, and is less likely to exit as overflow

Is it a 3.8L engine and do you see steam coming from the tailpipe? Does the dip stick or oil filler cap look like coffee milk? Head gasket time!

After further investigation, I have found (engine off but warm-hot) a spray around the #3 spark plug and significant drip underneath. I cannot find the source. I also cannot find a diagram of the area to determine possible sources. I have a Haynes book but it is non-specific to my needs. I am a do it yourselfer with quite a bit of know-how and skill but I won't touch it with no reference. Any info will be greatly appreciated, as we use this car everyday, alot and it is in exellent health and I don't want to ruin her.

Schellie

Maybe an exhaust bolt got run into a water jacket or the head cracked? What motor is it? Can you pinpoint where exactly the leak is coming from?

It is the 4.6ltr V-8. The leak is spraying up through the space between the #3 and #4 spark plugs, but it is really hard to see into there and if I could I would need to know exactly what I was looking at. I can't believe there are no diagrams or schematics for the engine. I spent half the day on the internet looking for one and nothing. I am pretty car literate, but I don't know everything. I am fairly certain that it is only a hose or a fairly minor seal, as it has not affected the way it drives. I can't stop driving it, but am trying desperately to find out how to fix it, I can't afford to have it professionally diagnosed or fixed. I appreciate all help on this!

Schellie

Also, it is not actually overheating, it's just losing a lot of water. I can't afford to keep putting anti-freeze into it while it is leaking, but I know it is exacerbating the problem using just water.

Also, I wonder if anyone knows what causes this: gurgling coming from the defrost vents, but here's the kicker-it only does it when it rains. We have the heater core bypassed right now, but it only makes this noise when it is raining. It also doesn't matter if the defrost is on or off. Curious!

As far as the vents making noise, check to make sure the fresh air intake for the ventilation system is draining properly and not clogged with debri. There should be a drain tube for the A/C, make sure it not clogged.

Thanks. I will check that. It is just weird that it only happens when it rains.

it really sounds like you have a head gasket leak. if you haven't done any recent work on your car in that area, then that is what it likely is. hopefully that that is all it is, and its not a cracked block. Is there any lack in power? have you noticed the exhaust spewing white smoke, and the smell of antifreeze burning? If it is your headgasket, a way to find out is to fill the car back up with coolant, run the engine, then open the radiator cap (as long as its not HOT!), if you see the coolant bubbling, gurgling or getting frothy, then that means that there is a leak and that air is getting into the system. this is an indication of head gasket issues.

Thanks for the info! I haven't noticed any problems other than it losing the water everytime I drive it, but it isn't even getting hot now because I know how to keep it from overheating, like not idling for any time. I don't drive it real far, but I do drive it. There is no smoke and no bad smell of any kind. It still has all the awesome power that it ever did. I'm telling you-this is one sweet-ride-I love her!!! I'm so worried this is going to be the beginning of the end..........

Great news! Today, after much thought and consideration, I decided that given the size and strength of this engine and cooling system, it couldn't hurt to try a stop-leak. So, I went to Kragen and since there were about 10 different, but somehow the same, kinds (ranging from $2.50 to $11.00) I asked! I have no problem asking if I am not sure. I explained the problem to him and asked him which one he recommended. He confidently told me he would use the bar's stop-leak (liquid form). It was only a little over $3 after tax. I used it with trepidation, as I know all too well, the hazards of using those things sometimes, but I also believe that in certain situations, it can make all the difference. I am happy to say that it worked! I put it in once, drove my son to work and have not had to put water in it since. There don't seem to be any reprecussions so far, thank god, and when our tax check comes in a couple of weeks, we are taking no chances--in she goes! I love this car and am so thankful that this has not progressed, as I know it can, and systematically taken away my baby! Thanks for all of the great advice! I swear by this site and am so glad to have it as a resource! I will keep anyone interested, posted to the outcome. Have a great day,all!!

Schellie

It would be a good idea to change your oil and filter in case the coolant did get into the crankcase from the leak. Antifreeze is liquid death to bearings!

You stated: "Also, I wonder if anyone knows what causes this: gurgling coming from the defrost vents, but here's the kicker-it only does it when it rains. We have the heater core bypassed right now, but it only makes this noise when it is raining. It also doesn't matter if the defrost is on or off. Curious!"

My reply: 'As far as the vents making noise, check to make sure the fresh air intake for the ventilation system is draining properly and not clogged with debri. There should be a drain tube for the A/C, make sure it not clogged."

You said: "Thanks. I will check that. It is just weird that it only happens when it rains."

The only reason why it would happen when it rains is because that is when water is getting into the fresh air intake for the heater/AC system. No rain, no water. Look around where your windshield wipers are located. You may find a grill. This is the fresh air intake for the climate control system and when debri such as leaves gets through it will cause a clog not allowing the water to drain. The A/C can cause a lot of condensation and if the drain tube is clogged the water will not drain.
Have you ever noticed little puddles of water under cars in a parking lots on a hot day? That is the condensation from the A/C draining.

I did changed the oil and filter just other day. Being a do it yourselfer, it pained me, but I went to walmart and did the lube, oil and filter. I had the same concern, so I appreciate the info. Thanks. And just to update everyone, after putting in the stop-leak (which worked like like a charm) I have not had to put in [B][U]ANY water, whatsoever and she is still the dream power machine she ever was!! I am thanking the t-bird gods, because they saved the life of one awesome beast!! God, I love my car!!! Also, I am now going to flush and fill the cooling system just for good measure (it is slightly rusty and has had only water for a while so before investing the anti-freeze, I am going to flush and fill)!!! Thanks for all of the support!! I can't say it enough what a priceless resource this is.

Schellie

Thanks KimMG. I am going to do that right now. It has been making me crazy because it is so strange and now it makes sense. I will let you know and you have a great day!!!

Schellie