1996 2.5TL, Problem: Overheats all the time, especially when the car is idle, or stuck in traffic or driving slow for a long time. Only way to bring down the temp gauge is 2 turn on the heat, and it gets HOT!!!!! Would a crack in my exhaust manifold cause this problem? I noticed 2day the car had no oil, or very little if there was any. I put oil in it about a month ago and at that time I also noticed the car had no oil in it even though I had an oil change done recently before that incident. "The car is burning the oil" is what someone told me and he said "that's not good and it's probably because of the overheating." He mentioned buying a thicker oil to use so it'll burn slower until I can really remedy the problem. Also my anti-freeze was damn near empty even though I filled it up about 2 weeks ago. Any solutions, advice or comment?

 

one thing.. theres so many all over this thread. but if you search you will find your answer. to over heating

 

bad news.
Blown head gasket.
Do a compression leakdown test to find out for sure.

 

^ Get that checked.

~Cheers~

 

Its a head gasket for sure and maybe the head is warped now from repeated overheating
Have the radiator checked for flow when you fix the rest of it
Could even have scorched the cylinders with no oil in the engine!

Have it fully tested by a pro, with leakdown and compression test- they tell you how bad things really are, then see how much for a junkyard- excuse me- automobile recycler wants for a used one from a crashed car.

Good Luck

 

It sonds like your engine is almost tost! The reason why your coolant and oil levels are droping is because you have an internal leak. Posibly a crack in the engine or gasket failure..
Solution: Buy some "coolant glue" It will fill any small leaks from the radiator side. Note its not a permanent solution. sooner or later your engine will seez.