My damn stock AST blew while driving home and then had to tow it! Maybe the engine overheated, also coolant was leaking onto the floor just before I was on my way back home. Earlier that morning the oil gauge was beeping and I checked oil and it was low, so I stupidly topped it off with some valvoline 20w50 and the car started backfiring more than normal when I went for a cruise. Could using different oil than I normally use damage the engine or overheat it? Time to order some realiability parts from Jason!

 

You need an aftermarket water temp gauge installed.

 

Adding a different brand of oil for a top off should not be a problem as long as it is conventional oil (not synthetic) and with the same viscosity.

 

Damn that was a quick reply! My stock temp gauge is faulty but the damn buzzer still works. Also the buzzer was going off before the AST blew! The needle the gauge stays on under cold, but sometimes If I fiddle around with the wire under the Y-Pipe the needle starts to rise.

 

The buzzer is a "low coolant" alarm, not an overheat alarm.

What do you mean your stock temp gauge is faulty? Does it never move to the middle of the gauge?

 

I have been running synthetic for over 3 years with no problems. I have also had the opportunity to tear down my motor, inspect the internals, and rebuild it numerous times (replacing broken apex seals of course, hehe). Never saw any negative effects of running synthetic, only positive ones.

 

The needle never moves anymore! Only when If I move the wires under the crossover pipe the needle jumps to the middle. But then after I shutdown the car and then turn it back on when still warm, the needle wouldn't move again.

 

One more thing when I start the car warm, the coolant buzzer goes on for some reason even though theres enough coolant but then turns off after 2minutes.

 

That's sounds like more of a wiring problem than the gauge itself. However, it would be in your best interest to purchase an aftermarket gauge as soon as possible. Even inexpensive ones from Autometer are better than none at all.

Take care of the AST first. Then you can check the car out to see if there was any damage done to it.

 

That's not a good sign, when I had that my coolant seals were gone. You are checking the coolant level in the filler neck (thermostate housing) right?

 

Actually I check using the rod, becase the engine is hot and don't want any hot coolant burning me!

 

You need to check the filler neck, and use that to fill and/or top off your coolant. That's were the low coolant sensor is located. Obviously, wait until the car cools a little and be careful.

 

Is bubbling after shutdown normal?? I can hear coolant bubbling and air escaping from AST cap.

 

You prpbably need a rebuild. Test the coolant seals first though.

 

How can I test it??? I got about 6000kms on my rebuild.

 

not good... i hope you didnt blow your motor...

if you see little bubbles, your water seals are most likey gone.

 

It sounds like you don't know much about your car. I suggest that you find a good rotary mechanic, and have him check it out. It will be a lot less expensive in the long run to fix the little things now.............. before you have to buy another new engine.

 

It might be ok.. 1st get a new Aluminum AST or get rid of your ast..

2nd, fill up and burp the system.. do a search on how to do that..

3rd, let the car sit over night and next day (when cold), take the filler cap off and start the car.. See if coolant over flows.. If it stays still for couple of minutes or longer, you are good to go.. If it starts to over flow immediately, Sorry.. most likely your coolant seal went bye bye.. and time to get your engine rebuilt.

Good luck and let us know what happens..