95 Aurora - Oh Boy!

Hello All,

I'm a newbie here, so first I would like to say hello.

I've spent the last several days reading some of the threads here. - Yes I too have a little problem, or so I hope it's minor. Still have plenty of reading to do here also.

I have a 95 aurora that my father just gave to me. Only has 45,000 miles on her. She's a fine and well maintained auto. I drove her from Houston out to the hill country where I live, and became spoiled rotten doing so. :biggrin:

Unfortunately, we had a cold spell Sunday before last, and I decided to drive to the mall for my walk. I was messing with the AC/heater while driving and the next thing I know the car is over heating. I just did make it to the mall.

I did my walk allowing the car to cool, babyed it back home, let cool for another couple hours and then added some more coolant, just so it would have some in there as they said it might freeze that night. Now I haven't done much else with it, as I've left it sitting in the driveway, but I did notice some coolant sprinkled on top of the engine and hose near where the coolant goes in.

As I mentioned earlier, I've been reading some of these threads, and while I'm not a mechanic, but instead, a lady who doesn't mind breaking a nail or getting a little grease under her fingernails. My question to you kind folks here is: do you think a novice can do most of the work herself?

You guys make it sound almost too easy.

I did once flush a radiator on my grandmothers car when I was a teenager. Wasn't too difficult, unscrewed the cap, unscrewed the plug, drained the dirty yuk that was in there and then flushed with a water hose. Put plug back in, added coolant and was done. I was so proud of myself.

Again, after reading some of these threads here, I'm feeling like it would be worth my going out there and flushing the radiator, replacing the thermostat, dropping 3 tablets down the hose into the rad and replacing the clamps with stainless steel clamps, and possibly hoses to if necessary, and saving myself a whole bunch of money paying someone else to do it. Though I was thinking about the water pump also, but that sounds a little tricky and a special tool is needed I understand.

Now I realize before I even do those things I should try and narrow down where I have a leak at which is what I intend to go out and do tomorrow. But I just was curious to know what some of you experienced folks might advise out there. Am I kidding myself about attempting to do this work myself? Really, after reading all the generous step by step instructions some of you are putting out there, I really feel like I could just about fix almost anything that might go wrong.

Sorry for rambling so, and thanks for your replies.

Robin R

Welcome!

As far as the radiator flush and everything, it is pretty much is that easy. I replaced my thermostat recently after feeling chagrined that I caved in and paid a veritable fortune to have someone replace my radiator. It's not as simple as a car where you can SEE the radiator when you open the hood, but not too bad overall...

It sounds a lot like you ran low/out of coolant due to a leak (and then overheated). Is that the case, or did the car overheat all of a sudden and then spew boiling antifreeze everywhere? If it's the second case, a trip to the mechanic may be in order to figure out why it's overheating, though a new thermostat could be the fix for that too.

As far as finding where your leak is, if that is your issue, it's fairly easy to check/rule out the water pump. It is fitted into the engine on the right side. Just look for the belt over there that runs it- it's the only thing on there. If the water pump is the culprit antifreeze will come out the weep hole on the bottom of it. If it is more than a tiny leak it will probably drip all the time, but your may need to pressurize the system to be sure either by running until the car gets hot or by using a pressurizing tool. The ones I have seen are basically hand pumps with a radiator cap on it so you can pump up the system and make leaks, well, leak. I don't know for sure, but you might be able to borrow one from AutoZone or another parts store. If it's not the water pump, poke around and see if you can locate any leaks near fittings and lines or the little tank crimped on to the side of the radiator.

As for the antifreeze on top of the engine, it probably spewed out of the radiator cap if the car got hot. Heck, many have had them spew even if the car doesn't overheat, but that's a whole 'nother issue.

Good luck!

P.S. I wish MY 95 only had 45,000 miles on it. Then my wife wouldn't be leaning on me to get rid of it before disaster happens. It's not like it has resale value now anyway...

Thanks dsatt12,

Actually, something came up today and I didn't get around to looking at the car until late this evening.

I did find something interesting that I hadn't noticed before, it looks like a belt that has shredded. I took a photo of it with my digital camera and uploaded to my site if you wouldn't mind taking a peek at it - www.auctioncents.com/abelt.jpg

Also, the car never did show steam or boiling over leakage or anything like that, but now I'm concerned that the belt may be the culprit and though I may have come off like I could probably do everything myself, I know better.

I do intend to search high and low until I find a shop that I know has someone experienced with Auroras, but do feel I may be able to do some things. I hope.

By the way, I noticed the cap on my surge tank is 18PSI - should I replace with a 15?

About the miles. Yeah, my dad was very fortunate. He prides himself in finding good deals on cars. He says "they're out there, one just has to keep looking until you find one". He just bought a 2001 that had only 10,000 miles. He bought the 95 from an elderly man that kept it garaged and well taken care of, it only had 7,000 miles on it when my father bought it in 2001. I guess he's right.

Thanks for your time,

Robin R

Welcome Robin
From the looks of the picture you have a shreded water pump belt which would cause your car to overheat. As for flushing the radiator that is a fairly simple job along with changing out the thermostat just have to remove the air cleaner assy. and you can get to everything very easy.Just be careful and make sure the thermostat is seated into the center of the housing.
Good Luck and Have Fun
Mike

Remove the three nuts that hold the belt guard in place and use a .25" square drive ratchet or extension to relieve the tensioner, then slide new belt on. $8 belt. 10 minute job. Cap should be 15PSI, might help to save your radiator in another overheat situation, but not critical. New Braunfels area?

Thanks Indy8,

Not far too from New Braunsfels, actually live in Kerrville, closer to Boerne & Fredericksburg.

Moved from Houston to here in 89 and haven't looked back.

Robin

robinr


Here is a nifty piece of info you might not had known about. The Northstar engines will run even if there is no coolent in the engine. It has a limp home mode that allows the car to drive up to 50 miles at 50 MPH IIRC. Just some handy info incase your car starts to overheat in bad weather or in a bad part of town and you are close to home.


BKVic

Been through that whole area, really nice. The cold weather probably helped to keep you out of limp home mode, but it is a really cool feature of the car that actually works.

Thanks BKVic,

I was reading the owners manual earlier and I read something about the car running on 4 cyclinders when a car overheats to help get further down the road. Thanks for that info.

Robin R

if your car is overheating and you gotta drive it crank the heat......you may sweat but it will help

Thank everyone for your kind support. My Aurora is up and running. I'm back on the road. Now I can sell my little Saturn and get back down to one car.

Thanks again for all the tips. I still have much to learn about my car, and this is the place it's going to happen.

Robin R

Remove the three nuts that hold the belt guard in place and use a .25" square drive ratchet or extension to relieve the tensioner, then slide new belt on. $8 belt. 10 minute job. Cap should be 15PSI, might help to save your radiator in another overheat situation, but not critical. New Braunfels area?
Hey Indy,

Are you sure you don't need to remove the 2 10mm bolts holding the tensioner on, then replace the belt and then put the tensioner back on. The reason I ask, is that I'm trying this as we speak. Problem is that I have 3 pulleys. The cam, the water pump and the tensioner. There is not enough clearance to get the belt past the valve cover if I don't remove the tensioner. Helllpppppp!

Hey Indy,

Are you sure you don't need to remove the 2 10mm bolts holding the tensioner on, then replace the belt and then put the tensioner back on. The reason I ask, is that I'm trying this as we speak. Problem is that I have 3 pulleys. The cam, the water pump and the tensioner. There is not enough clearance to get the belt past the valve cover if I don't remove the tensioner. Helllpppppp!

Well... I went with my gut on this one and went ahead and removed the tensioner. This had to be the EASIEST fix I've ever done on this car. Once I removed the tensioner I had clear sight of the WP pulley, simply wrapped the belt around the cam and WP pulley, then replaced the tensioner. Tightened the tensioners 2 10mm bolts and wha-la. All done. Actually 10 minutes might be stretching the job a bit... more like 5 once you have the right tools. Piece o cake!!!

I was able to slip mine on twisting it a little, but did have to keep the tensioner pushed all the way back. Either way, simple job.

Just A Quick Note From And Old Timer Next Time U Flush The Radiator Drain The Anti Freeze Out Fill With Water And Add A Half Bottle Of Spic And Span Liquid, Let It Run For 15 Min Than Drain You Will Not Berlive What Comes Out. It Will Not Harm The Water Pump.

... Fill With Water And Add A Half Bottle Of Spic And Span Liquid, Let It Run For 15 Min Than Drain You Will Not Berlive What Comes Out.

Ummm, suds?