Radiator?

[xp4ul13x]

i have a 95 eclipse n/t. in the last month ive had to replace two hoses on my coolant system because they started leaking. the hose that runs from the radiator to the thermostat i was able to stick a screwdriver thru it like butter. anyways my coolant temp guage has been fluctuating alot lately. it only goes hotter, itll jump up and then back to normal in the middle. it never goes all the way up. my car has also been bogging down after its driven for about 20 minutes, its been doing this since i got it in may, but tonight it was bogging down alot worse and rite when i started driving. i was wondering if all this was the reason for my car bogging down and also what would cause the fluctuation of my coolant temp guage? do i need a new thermostat? sorry for rambling, any input would be greatly appreciated. i love my car but it just doesnt wanna cooperate with me.

 

[wyominghotwheel]

i would start with a good cooling system flush, new thermostat and temp sensor, and radiator cap...........see what happens.........hotwheels of turborides

 

[realhp=turbo]

Does your car smoke? I think you might have a head gasket problem but if its not then yes I would definatly start with replacing the thermostat, coolant temp sensor, and a new radiator cap, aswell as flush the system. Try driving on it after all that and if it still does that loose power crap then start looking into a compression test.
mike

 

[xp4ul13x]

Does your car smoke? I think you might have a head gasket problem but if its not then yes I would definatly start with replacing the thermostat, coolant temp sensor, and a new radiator cap, aswell as flush the system. Try driving on it after all that and if it still does that loose power crap then start looking into a compression test.
mike

my car doesnt smoke that im aware of, when its idling there is absolutly no smoke. ive already replaced the radiator cap. also i was wondering if the coolant/water mixture could have anything to do with it because since its been giving me problems so much lately i havent been wanting to put coolant into it for it just to spill out all over the road, so im sure there is a much higher water to coolant ratio. im not sure if its my head gasket, i also have a slew of other problems like my power steering is almost gone it squeels like crazy, i believe my cat is clogged which could also be bogging it down, no ac, no heat, i was told i have a short somewhere and that my alternator doesnt charge my battery the way it should, among other minor things. i was also thinking maybe its the water pump? i dont kno nemore. im soon going to replace all the hoses on my coolant system as well as the therm, sensors, and flushing it out. thanks for the input everyone.

 

[marcmsj]

also be sure that your radiator fan is working.

 

[BaddAssGst]

Check out what they all said... radiator cap, thermostat, radiator fans... I don't know if you have a manual but my shift linkage rubbed on the lower hose and caused it to tear.. Also, like you said, make sure to check your cat, I know they can get clogged.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the water/coolant ratio shouldn't matter. My old Talon had about 25% coolant and 75% water because I kept spilling coolant.

 

[realhp=turbo]

Straight water is bad on a cooling system. Anti freeze also acts as a lubricant for the water pump so that it lasts longer. All it takes is running your system dry one time to start damage to the water pump.
mike

 

[ALLBoostAWD]

Please tell me that you aren't using orange coolant. If you are using that coolant and the car never came with it then that is your problem. The Orange coolant corrodes hoses that werent meant to have it, and it also leaves behind a resedue on everything that it comes in contact with, causing problems with water pump, radiator, heater core, etc. If you did use it i would recommend flushing your entire system and replacing the hoses.

 

[xp4ul13x]

my fans are working properly, they turn on and off when they r supposed to. i have manual and ill check the bottom hose, but for now nothing is leaking and my resevior hasnt gone down any in a few days. its still bogging down like crazy though. i do have a decent amount of coolant in the system and its the green autozone brand coolant not orange.