1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
'94 900S, 2.3 N/T, 115K mi.
Hi, all. Last weekend, I replaced the plugs, distributor rotor, distributor cap and air filter, as well as cleaned the IAC valve and throttle body, added Techron concentrate and topped off fluids, in an effort to (hopefully) alleviate an intermittent engine surging/bucking/stalling problem. Well, I didn't do a lot of driving this past week, but did notice a marked improvement in performance after the tune-up with what driving I did do.
HOWEVER, yesterday I drove to my brother's house in Fort Worth (roughly 50 miles round-trip) for assistance with replacing my fuel filter, and my "coolant low" light came on en route. I let the car cool for about an hour, checked the coolant level and added about 1/3 gallon before I noticed white splash spots on the lower radiator hose. So, I'm thinking, "Aha! Here is the culprit." Well, I replaced the lower radiator hose and added two gallons of coolant and checked for leaks. Well, by the time I got home (approx. 25 miles), the reservoir was almost empty of coolant -- which might be normal when one considers the amount of coolant that goes into the engine -- but there were no signs of leakage.
This afternoon, I make a trip to O'Reilly's for R134 so I can recharge my A/C, topped off the gas tank, and picked up something to eat -- probably five miles driving roiund-trip. While stoipped at a traffic signal, the engine appeared to lunge forward for just a moment. Once I made my left turn onto a straightaway, it did it again. I was probably doing about 35/40 mph. Well, I open the hood when I get home to add coolant, and I notice some oily-looking fluid on the little ledge underneath the lower radiator hose. Also, the hose looked a little bulbous to me. So I'm thinking, "crap -- I have a leak afterall." Also noticed what appears to be coolant dripping (literally a small drip) from a location almost 1-1/2 feet to the rear of the lower radiator hose, underneath the engine. I'm now waiting for the engine to sufficiently cool so I can try and adjust the hose I replaced yesterday, praying that this is the source of the problem.
Second, my A/C is only blowing HOT air. I purchased a recharging thing called "Measure and Charge R134a Refrigerant and Oil." I am assuming that the little valve sticking out between the radiator and battery is where I check the pressure and recharge? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. It was 82 degrees here today, and we're only at the beginning of April. If recharging doesn't do the trick, is repairing the AC a DIY job, or something better left to an expert?
Finally, if the tune-up did not resolve the engine surge/buck/stall problem, and it is not related to the lower radiator hose issue, any suggestions as to my next place to look? I didn't replace the fuel filter because once I got under the car, I took a look at the fuel (?) lines attached to the filter and became terrified that I would screw something up. You know, that "small little voice" that says "danger?"
Anyhow, any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I could not have done what repairs I have done already without the help of the members of this board.
Thanks,
Francine
posted by 70.248.11...
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