My lumnia sucks

[jennw]

My lumnia has so many problems, I just bought it a little over a month ago, I have an overheat problem, my heater wont blow heat, and i am leaking some kind of fluid. I dont have the funds to take to a repair shop, so could i get some general ideas on how to fix on my own??
Thank you

[recon_element]

Go ahead and take it to a repair shop and have them take a look at it if you haven't already. You don't HAVE to have any repairs done, and you can ask them beforehand and make sure to have them call you when they come up with a diagnosis.

After that you can ask around for specific parts and get further advise.

[Katterinablu]

Originally Posted by jennw

My lumnia has so many problems, I just bought it a little over a month ago, I have an overheat problem, my heater wont blow heat, and i am leaking some kind of fluid. I dont have the funds to take to a repair shop, so could i get some general ideas on how to fix on my own??
Thank you

Just a guess from your symptoms but you may have a cracked/split hose. I had the same problem with mine, it was leaking fluid, overheating and the heaters wouldn't blow hot air. I had no pressure in the cooling system because of it. Just a guess though.

[jennw]

Originally Posted by recon_element

Go ahead and take it to a repair shop and have them take a look at it if you haven't already. You don't HAVE to have any repairs done, and you can ask them beforehand and make sure to have them call you when they come up with a diagnosis.

After that you can ask around for specific parts and get further advise.

Thanks for your advise, but being a girl i unfortunately can be easily suckered into leaving my car there as opposed to saying ok thanks.....
thanks for your advise though.

[jennw]

Originally Posted by Katterinablu

Just a guess from your symptoms but you may have a cracked/split hose. I had the same problem with mine, it was leaking fluid, overheating and the heaters wouldn't blow hot air. I had no pressure in the cooling system because of it. Just a guess though.

Thank you, I will suggest that to whomever i can get to look at it. I appreciate your time.... Jenn

[richtazz]

Have them pressure test your cooling system. The engines in these cars are famous for intake leaks that cause "mysterious" coolant loss. Check your oil cap and dip stick for milky deposits. This indicates coolant in teh oil, which is an indicator of the intake leak. What year is your car?, as there are certain problems that affect only certain years that cause coolant loss.

[jennw]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Have them pressure test your cooling system. The engines in these cars are famous for intake leaks that cause "mysterious" coolant loss. Check your oil cap and dip stick for milky deposits. This indicates coolant in teh oil, which is an indicator of the intake leak. What year is your car?, as there are certain problems that affect only certain years that cause coolant loss.

Thanks for your help, my car is a 93 Euro. I definately am hating the car right now.... But all the advice is going to come in helpful. So anything you may know that i dont will be great. ( idont know much apparently)

[jennw]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Have them pressure test your cooling system. The engines in these cars are famous for intake leaks that cause "mysterious" coolant loss. Check your oil cap and dip stick for milky deposits. This indicates coolant in teh oil, which is an indicator of the intake leak. What year is your car?, as there are certain problems that affect only certain years that cause coolant loss.

Thanks for your help, my car is a 93 Euro. I definately am hating the car right now.... But all the advice is going to come in helpful. So anything you may know that i dont will be great. ( i dont know much apparently)

[Rick1488]

Originally Posted by jennw

My lumnia has so many problems, I just bought it a little over a month ago, I have an overheat problem, my heater wont blow heat, and i am leaking some kind of fluid. I dont have the funds to take to a repair shop, so could i get some general ideas on how to fix on my own??
Thank you

LMAO,
I can tell you your problems will never end with your Lumina as in my experience in owning 2 of them a 95 an a 98 they were just horrible cars. I almost shot my 95. If your car is in good shape visually I would just sell it as there are plenty of kids out there that will pay what your asking in my experience... I sold my 95 Lumina and bought a 97 Blazer for less then what I sold my 95 Lumina for..

[96Lumina3point1]

Originally Posted by jennw

Thanks for your advise, but being a girl i unfortunately can be easily suckered into leaving my car there as opposed to saying ok thanks.....
thanks for your advise though.

Sorry to hear that Jenn! It sucks being a girl and dealing with mechanics and parts guys (I should know, I'm a girl too, and I do my own car repairs). Most mechanics act like you don't know anything at all about anything car related. But I must admit, it feels DAMN GOOD to start talking about cars with them because it just blows their minds! Some of them just stand there amazed and don't even know what to say. Some of them seem to really get into talking about cars with me, and others try to "out car talk" me, which makes me laugh... BECAUSE THEY USUALLY CAN'T!!!

Anyway, if your car has so many problems, why did you buy it in the first place? If you don't know cars then didn't you have someone you know check it out first? Did you buy from a dealer? If so, do you have any warrantees?

Either way, I would like to suggest, from one woman to another, that you buy a repair manual (the ones at AutoZone are great) and read about your car. Get to know your car - it helps especially when you need to take it in to a shop so you don't get swindled.

Good luck!
~Annah

[jennw]

Originally Posted by 96Lumina3point1

Sorry to hear that Jenn! It sucks being a girl and dealing with mechanics and parts guys (I should know, I'm a girl too, and I do my own car repairs). Most mechanics act like you don't know anything at all about anything car related. But I must admit, it feels DAMN GOOD to start talking about cars with them because it just blows their minds! Some of them just stand there amazed and don't even know what to say. Some of them seem to really get into talking about cars with me, and others try to "out car talk" me, which makes me laugh... BECAUSE THEY USUALLY CAN'T!!!

Anyway, if your car has so many problems, why did you buy it in the first place? If you don't know cars then didn't you have someone you know check it out first? Did you buy from a dealer? If so, do you have any warrantees?

Either way, I would like to suggest, from one woman to another, that you buy a repair manual (the ones at AutoZone are great) and read about your car. Get to know your car - it helps especially when you need to take it in to a shop so you don't get swindled.

Good luck!
~Annah

Thank you, no i am not totally illiterate in cars, and i have a manual. I did have someone check it out, but obviously i still got burned. Turns out the computer is needing to be replaced. My engine is reading at -40 degrees, is why the fans wont come on , and in return overheats. So i am not totally stupid, i just was looking for some advice or tips before taking it to a mechanic. Thanks for the suggestions...

[jennw]

Yeah it isnt bad looking, and i am already there with ya. I am selling it. But i dont want to screw anyone over like i feel i have been..... so i will replace the computer in it then, tune it up and sell it fairly. Thanks for replying.

[96Lumina3point1]

Glad to hear you found out the cause for your troubles! That's interesting. I wonder how long the PCM is supposed to last before it freaks out like that.

[richtazz]

On any 90-94 Lumina, the computers are more problem prone, partly due to the fact that they are located uner the hood and exposed to the elements. The one GM service number that is the most problematic is 1227727. IF you start experiencing weird problems like occasional no spark, loss of injector pulse, fans inoperative, etc... and all of those systems check out, it's a good chance that your ECM is toast. Same goes for all of the Lumina's sister cars (88-94 Regal, Grand Prix, and Cutlass)

[jennw]

Originally Posted by richtazz

On any 90-94 Lumina, the computers are more problem prone, partly due to the fact that they are located uner the hood and exposed to the elements. The one GM service number that is the most problematic is 1227727. IF you start experiencing weird problems like occasional no spark, loss of injector pulse, fans inoperative, etc... and all of those systems check out, it's a good chance that your ECM is toast. Same goes for all of the Lumina's sister cars (88-94 Regal, Grand Prix, and Cutlass)

Like for instance all the sudden it wont start?? Deader than a doornail, and wont take a jump? Or is that just the computer is completely gone? I went to get in it yesterday morning to warm up before work, and nothing..... still nothing today. (not like i thought it would magically fix its self, i did have someone come and check it out, but they think maybe the starter??) Anyhow, thanks...

Jenn