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Last week I had the wife take our 88 245 down to Penzoil for a coolant flush since I have no idea when it was last done. I paid for someone else to do it since I can't just let the coolant run down the driveway like the old days. $65 later, my wife is back on the road. Here is where the problems start:
1. Later that night I have to go rescue the wife 60 miles away because the o-ring at the top of the water pump blows. I replace the water pump (because I have it off to change the o-ring anyways) in about 2 hours in a gas station parking lot.
2. As I'm removing the upper radiator hose to replace it (it needed it anyways) I notice that the upper radiator "nipple" is 75% broken off inside the hose. Wife informs me that the techs at the garage "tried and tried" to get the clamp/hose off with no luck. I used a big screwdriver on the clamp and got it first time I tried it. They used the wrong tool and (I think) were yanking around on the hose. I was able to stuff the replacement hose onto the nipple with good results. (I thought) (My intentions were to order a new rad right away)
3. Yesterday my wife pulls back into the driveway, noticing the 3 puddles that the car had been leaving in it's spot. I notice that the puddles are rust colored and perhaps a bit gooey. (maybe)
4. I open the hood and notice that the top of the airbox is soaked. Meaning that the fluid was lost from the upper radiator hose. See fault #2. The expansion tank is bone dry and the engine compartment is soaked. Wife reports the temperature gauge only went to 9 o'clock as per normal operation. No loss of power detected.
5. Here is a big kicker: the lower radiator hose appears empty when squeezed.
Okay, Brickboard-ers...help me out. Besides replacing the radiator (suggestions?), what steps should I take to ensure that my engine is not fried??
And what is everybodies opinion on the good it would do me to go b*tch at the Penzoil place for all this stuff?
Thanks guys,
-Chris
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88 245 DL (185k miles) | 98 S90 (75k miles) | 98 V70 AWD (86k miles)
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