So my CEL was on a few weeks ago and I got it to turn off by changing the spark plugs and ignition coil. Now for some reason my CEL is back on and I notice my car overheating unless I turn the heat on and noticed that my car has been devouring my gas as well. I'm hoping you guys can provide me with an answer thanks. Keep in mind I am still pretty new to the car mechanics world and lingo. Thanks again in advance.

Originally posted by kastleback
So my CEL was on a few weeks ago and I got it to turn off by changing the spark plugs and ignition coil. Now for some reason my CEL is back on and I notice my car overheating unless I turn the heat on and noticed that my car has been devouring my gas as well. I'm hoping you guys can provide me with an answer thanks. Keep in mind I am still pretty new to the car mechanics world and lingo. Thanks again in advance.

What code is triggering the CEL?

Darkone I am going to run to autozone to check in a few and to the admins. Sorry about the title I'll be more specific next time.

Originally posted by kastleback
Darkone I am going to run to autozone to check in a few and to the admins. Sorry about the title I'll be more specific next time.

Save some time and gas
http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=PCM%20Error%20Codes

Hey thanks shake. Okay this is what I got.12/31/31 for CEL codes. I doubled and triple checked the counts. All ending with 55 at the end...what's verdict doc?

Originally posted by kastleback
Hey thanks shake. Okay this is what I got.12/31/31 for CEL codes. I doubled and triple checked the counts. All ending with 55 at the end...what's verdict doc?

31 is EVAP if I recall correctly. I'll fail you on emissions tests, but won't affect the way the car runs. If you're overheating, I'd say you have a problem elsewhere.

Checked your coolant level recently?

Yeah the coolant has been acting strange. When the engines cold the coolant reservoir tank will be close to empty but when the engines hot the tank would be full instead. Sorry I didn't bring that up before. I started small and replaced the coolant cap but no changes since then. I replaced the cap 2 days ago and had my unplug the negative battery cable to reset the ecu.

Sounds like a blown headgasket to me.

Originally posted by kastleback
Yeah the coolant has been acting strange. When the engines cold the coolant reservoir tank will be close to empty but when the engines hot the tank would be full instead. Sorry I didn't bring that up before. I started small and replaced the coolant cap but no changes since then. I replaced the cap 2 days ago and had my unplug the negative battery cable to reset the ecu.

10 bucks on thermostat. Correct me if I'm wrong guys but I believe you can just take it out and see if it still has that problem. I bet its stuck mostly closed. Coolant level should be at an area where you can see it if you take off the radiator cap.

EDIT

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G
Sounds like a blown headgasket to me.

Or this.

Hm I haven't seen white smoke coming out my exhaust. ill give it a good check up in the morning.

It is normal for the coolant level in the overflow canister to increase after the car heats up and the t-stat opens.

Are you sure the car is actually overheating, or are you just going off the gauge? The reason I ask is because if your CLT sensor is bad and acting up, it could be giving you a bad reading and could also cause poor gas mileage.

If I was you I would get a new CLT sensor and go from there. Also might want to burp the system to ensure you dont have any air.

Okay and please explain what a CLT sensor is and to "burp" the system. I watch my temp rise when I'm idle and then turn the heat on and watch it go down. I gotta check my t-stat as well. Thanks

CLT is the coolant temp sensor.

The way that I personally burp the system is as follows:

1. Remove radiator cap and start car. Run with heat on full blast
2. Once car hits operating temp and t-stat opens (you will see coolant begin to rush through) add coolant until completely full.
3. Squeeze upper and lower radiator hoses a few times to make sure all air is pushed out.
4. Top off with coolant, put cap back on, done

Others may tell you differently, but that is my method.

Originally posted by Ebster1085
CLT is the coolant temp sensor. The way that I personally burp the system is as follows: 1. Remove radiator cap and start car. Run with heat on full blast 2. Once car hits operating temp and t-stat opens (you will see coolant begin to rush through) add coolant until completely full. 3. Squeeze upper and lower radiator hoses a few times to make sure all air is pushed out. 4. Top off with coolant, put cap back on, done Others may tell you differently, but that is my method.

That's a good way.. :) BURP.

Sorry if this comes out as a nubbish question but wouldn't that send my coolant spitting out if I leave the rad cap off? When i take the cap off now my coolant is at the top of the radiator hose dripping off the cap.

Yes, some will spill over, but once the t-stat opens and coolant begins passing through the system that should subside.

It will not squirt or spray out, and there shouldnt be too much overflow, but there will be some.

Alright well I'm going to purchase a CLT from autozone soon and change and also burp it later today. I will let you know how it goes and if all ends well I will send you an Easter bunny with a basket full of beer

Great...so my car up and died on me on the highway home from work. I believe it misfired before it died. The battery is new and alternate is fine. These little problems I wish i knew someone around my area that can help but I don't so I turn to all of you guys. Please help me...again haha.

Originally posted by kastleback
Great...so my car up and died on me on the highway home from work. I believe it misfired before it died. The battery is new and alternate is fine. These little problems I wish i knew someone around my area that can help but I don't so I turn to all of you guys. Please help me...again haha.

So I'm guessing that it isn't starting now? What's it doing? Is it turning over or making any clicking sounds? More info needed before advice can be givin.

Well I got it to start after waiting a few minutes. My battery and alt. Are fine. And yes it clicks. I managed to drive it back home. Just checked my ignition coil, spark plugs and spark plug wires and they are fine.

Okay so here's an update. I did the burping trick with the coolant and replaced the coolant sensor. Found some loose and exposed wires from the original owner and patched them up. Now I believe my serpentine belt is squealing. It's embarrassing and loud. I was just wondering what belt I should buy to replace it? And as for the overheating issue, it still shows that its overheating. Now this is my project car and am willing to rebuild this car from ground up. Right now I am considering going to get a new radiator. I have heard good things about mishimoto but I really would love everybody's input and opinion in order to make the right decisions. Thanks and I will keep updating when things change.

The squeal you hear is likely the tensioner pulley, common issue for our motor. If I was you I would go out and purchase a K5 (5 rib) 490 length belt, remove the tensioner pulley assembly, and just tension it down using the power steering pulley.

As far as the overheating issue, did you ever change the t-stat? Also, when you did the burping trick did you see the t-stat open and coolant begin to rush through?

I'll get that thermostat next. All I purchased was the coolant sensor. And as soon as I started the car without the rad cap on the coolant came rushing out like a live volcano so I turned my car off and had to clean up the coolant explosion.

My car did die again last night on me on the highway. The rpm dropped to zero and it eventually turned off. From what I have read the most common solution is getting a new ecu. I'm going to look into that. But my bro-in-law said it could also be the intake manifold.

Also one more thing. When my car revs from 1500 and up I heard a weird sloshing sound. I don't really know how else to put it...sounds like water moving around. So maybe I did the burping wrong.

If when you started the car with the cap off a bunch of coolant gushed out, that is likely becuase you do have air in the system. Additionally, if you hear a sloshing sound while moving, that is likely coolant moving in and out of the heater core. This typically only happens when the system is not completely filled with coolant and there is air.

Change the t-stat and refill and burp the entire system.

Not sure why your car is dying, but someone telling you it could be the "intake manifold" is not at all helpful and is not a valid answer. What about the intake manifold does he think could be a potential issue?

Any check engine lights? Have you had the car scanned with a code reader?

Okay so the CEL doesn't come on anymore. It has been off since this past friday. But when I do the keydance trick I still get error 12. And okay I think I'm going to flush my whole system this weekend thanks.

Originally posted by kastleback
Okay so the CEL doesn't come on anymore. It has been off since this past friday. But when I do the keydance trick I still get error 12. And okay I think I'm going to flush my whole system this weekend thanks.

Code 12 isn't actually a trouble code, and thus it won't flag a CEL. Ignore it.

Here's an update.

I had the radiator flushed about 3 times the past weekend and in the process replaced the coolant temp sensor and the thermostat. It would seem there is a small leak somewhere at the bottom of the radiator but its not apparent where its leaking from. I had removed the radiator and looked around, put some water in it and it doesnt leak until I put the radiator back in.there's no hole in the hoses but I replaced the hoses anyways. Still leaking but very very small amounts.

The car still overheats. No matter what I do now. I tried blasting the heat at maximum and it just keeps rising until the car starts moving.

All in all I'm just considering gettin rid of this car. I skipped some of my bills to try and fix it but I just can't do it anymore.unless you guys might be able to provide me with some solutions. Thanks all in advance.

Your fans are working, right?

Originally posted by kastleback
I tried blasting the heat at maximum and it just keeps rising until the car starts moving.

That is a fan issue.

The fans aren't cracked anything and they do turn on. I sat and let it idle today and when it started to overheat the fans came on and brought it back down to normal operating temperatures.

Sounds like maybe your fans are not being triggered to turn on soon enough?

Maybe so. This is pretty complicated for me to do alone heh.

Hi guys I'm back. Well now i have error code 31. I had fixed the radiator by just buying a new one. My car still overheats but not so bad. I let the car sit for like a month and I guessed it temporarily postponed the overheating issue.

Ok, so do the fans come on or not?

Yes the fans work perfectly fine