10
May
Car in the shop
So last week the car started running hot and running rough. When I stopped for gas I looked under the hood and realized I did something really dumb. When last I added a quart of oil a few weeks ago (it needs a quart every few thousand miles) I forgot to put the oil cap back on. And it’s not like I set it in some place I wouldn’t notice it, it was 3-4 inches from the place it screws on!!
So I checked the oil level and it was on the bottom of the area it should be and figured I could make it the rest of the short way to the restaurant and then to home and I did. The oil cap was put back in place with a melted spot on it from the engine.
Anyway, when the oil was added the car ran smoother but it was still hot. Cathi suggested it was the thermostat and looking at the mileage I need to agree with that assessment. The first one only lasted about 80,000 miles and when they replaced it they said it was a poorly made device and there aren’t any better after-market versions.
Anyway, this morning (the day of the car appointment) the temperature light started blinking and smoke/vapor started coming from the engine area. Hopefully something that is fairly reasonable rto replace cost wise didn’t turn expensive.
Oh no!
May 10th, 2005 at 10:16 am