Let?s change the topic a bit and talk about car care. One of the benefits of living in this beautiful island is the repair and service industry, its dirt cheap. The work may not be up to the American standard but if you supervise the work, you can get service done for the fraction of the cost that will cost you in USA or Europe.
Now today?s topic would be over-heating of the engine. Yes, it?s hot as hell here so naturally some cars will get over heated. Overheated engine will cost you a whole engine overhaul if you are not careful. First of all, if your engine is over heating, the first thing you do is stop the car and turn off the engine. If the needle is near the red area or in the extreme red area of the gauge, turn off the car immediately. Some people look for the gas station to pull over or stop the car but keep the engine running, or try to get home to have the husband look at the engine. All wrong, in this last crucial minute, you engine will burn and the head gasket will explode and water will mix with oil to seize the engine.
Now let?s talk about the solution this very common problem in DR.
In DR, if you have an old car then chances are after a few years of driving here you will notice the engine is over heating if you are driving up hill with A/C on or on long drives usually involves up hill (low gear) drive. The temp needle begins to go up passed the normal range. The car will usually run cool in the evenings and in low speed driving but will begin to heat up on the highway and you will hear the fan running strong.
Now you can change the radiator cap, the thermostat and change the coolant, even the fans and still you have the same condition.
What is wrong?
The most likely diagnosis could be a semi-clogged radiator. Yes, this is very common problem and it has happened to both of my cars already. You can either replace the whole radiator or have it cleaned.
Great news: In DR, you can have your radiator uninstalled, cleaned with chemical, then have it opened from both ends and have a guy clean each and every tube (coil) with a strip of metal. The whole radiator is then reassembled and sealed and reinstalled. The whole job costs 500 pesos, including the anti-freeze. Yes, you have heard it right, 500 pesos and you have a virtually new radiator for another 7 yrs.
My over heating problem was resolved right after I cleaned and reconditioned my radiator.
Good luck.
AZB
Now today?s topic would be over-heating of the engine. Yes, it?s hot as hell here so naturally some cars will get over heated. Overheated engine will cost you a whole engine overhaul if you are not careful. First of all, if your engine is over heating, the first thing you do is stop the car and turn off the engine. If the needle is near the red area or in the extreme red area of the gauge, turn off the car immediately. Some people look for the gas station to pull over or stop the car but keep the engine running, or try to get home to have the husband look at the engine. All wrong, in this last crucial minute, you engine will burn and the head gasket will explode and water will mix with oil to seize the engine.
Now let?s talk about the solution this very common problem in DR.
In DR, if you have an old car then chances are after a few years of driving here you will notice the engine is over heating if you are driving up hill with A/C on or on long drives usually involves up hill (low gear) drive. The temp needle begins to go up passed the normal range. The car will usually run cool in the evenings and in low speed driving but will begin to heat up on the highway and you will hear the fan running strong.
Now you can change the radiator cap, the thermostat and change the coolant, even the fans and still you have the same condition.
What is wrong?
The most likely diagnosis could be a semi-clogged radiator. Yes, this is very common problem and it has happened to both of my cars already. You can either replace the whole radiator or have it cleaned.
Great news: In DR, you can have your radiator uninstalled, cleaned with chemical, then have it opened from both ends and have a guy clean each and every tube (coil) with a strip of metal. The whole radiator is then reassembled and sealed and reinstalled. The whole job costs 500 pesos, including the anti-freeze. Yes, you have heard it right, 500 pesos and you have a virtually new radiator for another 7 yrs.
My over heating problem was resolved right after I cleaned and reconditioned my radiator.
Good luck.
AZB