Hey folks I'm having a problem with them mav. The Check Engine doesn't turn on and I'm almost sure it's not actually overheating but leaking water outside the thermostat housing and thus boiling when it contacts the block. The 15 year old hoses are shot too (never changed them when I got the car 2 years ago). The engine isn't knocking when this happens. Water does flow through the radiator and I guess the pump it's ok and the rad isn't clogged. What else should I check to diagnose what's wrong? Thanks for your help guys!
I think you answered your own question. Change ALL the hoses. Top and lower radiator hoses and the bypass hose. Also the heater hoses if you have them.
Heh, that's good then, just wanted some experienced back up. By the wat, do you think it would be a good idea to put a new gasket too? I see some drops of coolant coming out of the bypass and upper radiator hoses, but the drops look like they're coming out of the housing, I'm not really sure. Do the housing's bolts require specific torque? About the heater, it is cancelled with a lugnut at the end of the hose, the previous owner did that. It's not the correct way to do it, but does the job.
It has flashed other times when I've got stuck in traffic several minutes on really hot days (around 120ºF more or less), I'm gonna check it anyway, thanks!
When was the last timme the thermostat was changed. If I was going to change the gasket, I'd throw in a new thermostat too. Make sure the housing isn't cracked also. Might want to also have the radiator cap checked or relace it too.
