Overheating - Oil Light flickers, stalls!!

[rfiltz]

Just had the car in for an AC conversion to 134a and an oil change. Now 1-day later the car starts overheating and seems to be leaking coolant (at least during the overheat stall). Got the car home barely in time, as it was idling before shutdown, I noticed the oil light flickering, a loud squeeling from the engine, then the engine stalls and smokes a bit from under the hood.

Oil level seems OK, but they used 10-30 and it seems fairly "thin". After setting, the car starts fine, no noises, but after only a few minutes the temp gauge climbs steadily, oil light starts flickering again and I shut it down before it stalls out.

Seems like a big coincidence I have this problem right after a service. Could they have messed something up? Could the fan not going on cause these symptoms?

 

[CerberuS]

Usually oil light , is rod bearing needs replaced ASAP. but this is pretty weird.

Is the A/C has too many freon? makes the car overheating...unlikely possible but its still something to look for.

Pull the codes first.

 

[mlatten]

I had the same problem - overheating w/oil light on - when the fan didn't come on. If they did work on the compressor from the top, then most likely the fan came out, and they may have left it disconnected. The connector is right on top of the fan, can't miss it.

Best of luck,
Matt

 

[rfiltz]

I thought of the fan, peaked under the cover and all wires seemed OK. Have to check again. Car was overheating even with the AC off now! Before the service, car was dead on for temperature, even here in Florida with the AC low on charge and cranking!

 

[rfiltz]

OK, found one problem. For some reason, the drain plug on my radiator is missing!! WTF. Did it just blow out as I was driving? Did the ******* of a mechanic loosen it so I'd have problems and come back? Very strange

Soo ****** right now. Seems like everytime I have work done, something else fails within days. Don't trust any mechanics these days.

 

[CerberuS]

Damn that sucks.

Re-fill , and look for weird stuff, coolant leaks , noise. (if it still start and go OK)

The overheating issue caused many problems in the past with SHOs , incuding bent-cracked heads,valves, etc

Basicly VERY serious issues.

I REALLY hope the car didnt ran very long in the redline temp.

 

[rfiltz]

Actually I think it never even got to redline, so I should be OK. Any way to plug the radiator? I don't usually keep spare ones! I thought of trying to stuff something in temporarily, but wouldn't the system pressure just blow it back out?

 

[CerberuS]

Yea , it gets prolly 10 psi in there. , you need the right plug.

 

[ohfosho]

go to the junkyard or the dealer may be fairly inexpesive on that part, if they can get it...you never know

 

[rfiltz]

OK, I replaced the drain plug AFTER having to pull the radiator out. Sucks.

Now I get everything zipped up, try to burp the coolant a few times after driving, but now I'm still overheating like mad! No leaks, until it spews out of the reservoir bottle!

Could it be a bubble in the system, stuck thermostat? I think the car knows I want to get rid of it and it's making me pay!

 

[mlatten]

Luckily the thermostat is only $20 and like 5 mins to change. That's the next logical step, I would think. It's not a sensor just reading the wrong temp, because the water is actually pressurizing and overflowing.

Could a leaking radiator cap cause this? Not sure.

Good luck,
Matt