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Dear EGOG,
Hope you're well. Some things to check:
(a) Do the oil and/or automatic transmission fluid (ATF) appear cloudy or milky? If so, coolant likely has contaminated the ATF, because the in-radiator ATF cooler has failed. Solution: replace radiator and flush ATF (replace with fresh ATF). If the oil is cloudy, that means the headgasket has failed. Solution: replace headgasket.
(b) When were the heater hoses and heater control valve changed? If they are factory original, they are several years past the end of their service life (15 years, more or less, depending on the ambient temps where the car lives). If these items are factory-original, they should be changed AT ONCE. If these items fail, coolant is lost in a minute or so. The over-heating likely will require a headgasket replacement.
(c) Is the radiator factory-original? If so, replace it AT ONCE. Radiators have a working life of about 10 years (a couple of years more, where ambient temperatures are low [nothern US, Canada, northern Europe, Russia, far northern China et.] and a couple of years less where ambient temps are high [northern Australia, US South, Brazil, North and Central Africa, India, southern China, etc.]). Also, replace radiator hoses, even if they "look good". Hoses usually fail from the inside.
(d) Check the seals around the water pump, especially the "doughnut" seal at the top of the pump, under the head's overhang. Evaporated coolant usually leaves some residue. The best way to check for leaks, is to tape a clean, white paper towel around the doughnut seal. If coolant leaks and evaporates, it will discolor the paper towel.
Please post your findings.
All the Best for the New Year!!
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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