Author Topic: my car doesn't like winter (Read 3645 times)

hoevesruperd · « **on:** January 08, 2008, 03:01:17 PM »

she just wines for attention but its so cold and i have no garage and want to save some money.

here are a few problems i encountered going to school this morning:

power steering fluid seems to leak (the hoses that run to the pump and back are wet. the steering isnt tight and PS fluid tank isnt properly filled)

there's a vibration in the steering. i'm wondering if its due to the leak in the PS system..? air in the system?

I'm planning on doing a PS delete. might come a little sooner than i thought

there is a major leak somewhere. its pissing coolant. i have changed the thermostat, water pump and fan clutch before winter and ever since the entluftung screw is messed up. so now it smells like coolant and my straps and making funky noises when cold.

the temperature gauge is playing ping-pong (with Mr sensor?)

there's also a small leak from the head cover gasket. i believe my chain tensioner and chain are to change since i hear a little metallic ticking coming from the head.

on top of that my fan blower doesnt work so i have to drive the windows down so my windshield doesnt fog, my wiper linkage is messed up so i have a restricted view and one tire has a slow leak (2 weeks and its at 10psi)

i think next winter i'm going to find a more reliable beater!:p like a nice rusty 2-pedals bicycle or a horse... yeah a horse would be a lot more reliable

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2008, 03:15:36 PM »

wow, you've got a bit of work ahead of you. Coolant is a pain on these cars just because there are so many hoses. Chanses are your leak is starting somewhere under the intake manifold.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2008, 04:13:37 PM »

thanks i'll check under the intake in the morning
here's a picture of my leak

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2008, 04:15:01 PM »

teamgtnfx01 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2008, 04:30:22 PM »

for the blower motor check the fuses and for the valve cover gasket take off the valve cover buy a gasket from pelican parts online and do that job .. its very simple and as u take off the valve cover u will will me able to see the chain

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2008, 04:47:35 PM »

Quote from: teamgtnfx01;40765

for the blower motor check the fuses and for the valve cover gasket take off the valve cover buy a gasket from pelican parts online and do that job .. its very simple and as u take off the valve cover u will will me able to see the chain

i have checked the fuses and thats not it. for the gasket you're right it isnt an hard job but the fact that i dont have a garage and its always either cold or snowing outside doesnt help. thanks for your help anyways, i will try to find a time thats right to work on the car. i'll just get used to have frozen fingers

haledj · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2008, 04:54:39 PM »

Cut or take off the power steering hose, The pump won't run so you won't have any pressure and it won't leak. Also, it will make sure no damage is done to it from running dry.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2008, 05:00:38 PM »

Quote from: haledj;40769

Cut or take off the power steering hose, The pump won't run so you won't have any pressure and it won't leak. Also, it will make sure no damage is done to it from running dry.

which power steering hose? or you meant the belt? i will try that. i might also decide to remove the complete system. i read here that you need a U shape connector from the left side to the right side of the rack so the fluid can move freely and keep the system lubricated;
are those u shape regular rubber hoses or metal tube or do i keep the tank and connect them.
for sure i wont find a non PS rack before spring time so i'd like to know what is the best way to do this without removing the rack or buying expensive parts?
thanks

haledj · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2008, 05:14:26 PM »

yeah, I meant the belt, my bad.

You don't need a different rack; the power steering one is fine without power steering.

Remove the belt and see how you like it without power steering, and come summer you can either fix it or delete it. To delete, just loop the two hoses coming out of the rack together. It is really simple but kind of a pain in the ass.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2008, 05:24:24 PM »

would i be able to bleed it? would it work if i'd put a T-junction with a plug between the hoses going to both side and use that junction to adjust the amount of fluid?

honestly i think, either cause my belt is loose or because theres not enough fluid, the difference is very minimal between PS and no PS. when parked theres an obvious difference but i can live without. i also drove to 50kmh and shut off the engine in neutral and felt not much difference. maybe i've been driving without real PS assist for a while!

haledj · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2008, 06:28:43 PM »

you don't really need to bleed it or adjust the amount of fluid, just make sure there is some in there and you will be fine.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2008, 06:59:26 PM »

thanks! you've been very helpful