embg

I bought a 98 Acura TL2.5 and got ripped off - that's a whole different story. Any way, this car has an overheating problem - it's on its third engine and just blew the heads AGAIN! Here's a list of all the cooling system stuff that's been replaced in addition to the actual engine:
Thermostat
Water pump
Radiator
Radiator hoses
Fans

Supposedly there was a lot of other work also done to the car but this is everything in the cooling system that he said he did.

There MAY be a small coolant leak but when I check the coolant level during or after an overheat it's always still full or nearly full.

What else could be causing the problem? I spent so much money up front (the guy that sold it to me claimed it was in perfect mechanical condition so I paid slightly over Blue Book value, then he charged me another $1,200 to replace the engine again when it blew out two weeks later) and I really don't have any more to put into but I'm a single parent and this is our only means of transportation. I'm desperate for some insight here.

Thanks to anyone who can give me some ideas.

desired_speeds

thats ridiculous. Do you let the car overheat into the redzone on the gauge before the heads blow?

embg

The first time it overheated I didn't own the car so I don't know the story there. Who ever owned it sold it to a guy who "fixed it up" (claimed he had replaced everything under the hood except the radiator and promised it was a reliable car) and sold it to me. Two weeks after I bought it, it overheated WAY into the red 'cuz I didn't notice the gauge until it was too late. Towed it back to the guy I bought it from and he said I blew the heads. He charged me $1200 to put in another used engine. Had it for less than a week and it started heating up til the needle went into the red but then seconds later it would come back down to half way or less. Replaced the radiator, thermostat and all the hoses (again) and gave it back to me. Within two days it was doing the same thing again. Took it back and he said it was my fault but to baby it and he would try to get around to looking at it shortly. Still heating up into the red but then within 10 - 15 seconds would go back down to normal. One day it went to the red and didn't come down after 15 seconds so I pulled over and parked it and had it towed back to him. He said I blew the head again and accused me of abusing the car so said he wasn't responsible for fixing it.

I'm ready to take it to someone else but I have NO IDEA what to tell them to look for. I was hoping someone here could give me a direction.

main70072

There may be air in the system, or the guy didn't fix it right to begin with. Take it to another mechanic.

embg

I'd certainly do that if I hadn't already paid this guy every penny ($6100) I have.

main70072

What exactly is the car doing? You may be able to get away by correctly bleeding the cooling system. Are you loosing coolant, any leaks? How about the oil and it's level? Will the car start, if so does the fan(s) come on after engine has warmed up?

embg

There may be very MINOR coolant loss. After an overheat when I check the coolant level it's either still full or almost full, I've never had to add more than a half cup or so. Oil is fine, 100% full on the dipstick. Fans come on just fine and even continue to run after the car is turned off sometimes.

main70072

Get a compression test. If all turns out ok, then bleed the coolant.

vipstar

the first thing i had to replace on my car was some temp sensor. my Check Engine light came on and thats what was diagnosed. Does your light come on and if so what does it say is the problem?