Car will not start after radiator hose replaced after popping off

Hi,

Did the vehicle not start after the radiator hose issue? Did the engine overheat? Also, have you checked to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine? I need to determine which is missing.

I will need to confirm engine size and if it is AWD. Now, if you look at the attached picture, you will see the 2.4L engine. I circled two things. One is the water outlet and the other is the crankshaft position sensor. If that is where coolant sprayed, it may have damaged the crankshaft position sensor and that will prevent it from starting. You need to check if there is spark to the spark plugs.

Here are two links that explain how to check for spark and fuel to the engine. Also, the water pump won't directly cause it not to start. However, I need the engine size to know what I am dealing with. In the mean time, check to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine. Regardless of engine size, if one is missing, it won't run. I need to know which is missing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

The easiest way to check if there is spark is to simply see if the engine tries to start with starting fluid. If it does, then it's a fuel related issue. If it doesn't even try, then it is most likely ignition related.

Here is a general link discussing a crank no start condition. Take a look through it to see if anything helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let me know.

Joe

The car is at the shop and they tell me they can’t get the car running and so I’m trying to find out what needs to be checked because I have to have my car. They said they checked everything but when I questioned about the water pump they said they would check that when the car is running. I make a living with my car and for them to tell me they can’t get the car to start and maybe I should come there and try to start it I started asking what they had checked. So I started researching all the possible scenarios because I don’t think they are putting into it what needs to be checked. I’m a single elderly woman and my car is my livelihood! Very worried.

The engine is 2.4L. It didn’t start after the hose had been replaced. It had started overheating and then the pop sound and the car turned off and i coasted to a safe place to stop.

I need to know if there is spark and fuel to the engine. Also, you mentioned a pop. Was that the radiator hose when it came off? Also, was it the hose that goes to the unit I provided a picture of?

Joe

Yes, it was the hose that connected to the radiator/thermostat. I don’t know if there is spark and fuel. I’m I wrong over in the am to see if I can start the car and I’ll b asking more questions as to exactly have they checked. As of right now, I don’t know.

Not a problem. Since the crankshaft position sensor is so close to that hose, I'm questioning of that was damaged when it happened. If it was, the engine will not be getting spark and won't start.

Let me know.

Take care
Joe

That’s what I am thinking as I look at the pics and read they the research. I think something was damaged when whatever holds the hose to the radiator/thermostat popped off. I really appreciate your input. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. I’ll let you know.

The mechanic said he checked the fuel and spark. Now they said I blew a head gasket? How could that be? There was coolant and water and the hose popped off?

They are saying that the gasket is past using the cement seal gasket repair. They say a new motor but isn’t that expensive? Wouldn’t it be better to just get another car? I bought the car from them and are up to date on my car payments as I have only had the car for 14 months and they are the only ones who have made the repairs on it. What do you think? When I don’t work I have no income.

Hi,

If the engine was overheated, it could have caused a head gasket issue. How have they confirmed that? Did they run a compression test to check?

Please keep in mind, a bad head gasket in and of itself, doesn't constitute an engine replacement. More has to be wrong or they don't know what else to say.

If you speak with them, ask these questions.

1) How did you determine the head gasket is bad?

2) did you run a compression test to confirm the head gasket is bad?

3) If you have conformation that the head gasket is bad, why can it be replaced?

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Let me know what they tell you. However, I'm somewhat convinced you may not get the truth. Is this a shop you trust? I only ask because when you have a head gasket that is bad enough to prevent the engine from starting, it is really bad causing very low engine compression. In that case, the sound of the engine itself is different. When a car is that bad and brought to me, I can usually tell it is a compression issue with in 20 seconds of cranking the engine. I'm asking this because you may want it checked at a different location. However, I realize that is problem as far as time.

Let me know.

Joe

Yes, I thought it strange that at first they wanted me to come and try and crank the car up myself as the owner believed it was the key. Then the next text I get is I have a blown head gasket. I asked him why couldn’t it be replaced and he said it would cost about the same as replacing the engine. But the engine ran pretty good before this happened. I am feeling somewhat distrustful even though they have always done my repairs because of the conflicting texts from the owner.

I know a mechanic just down the street. Maybe he can come look at it because I don’t think I’m getting the truth either and I had been thinking of just getting another vehicle.

Thanks for your input. I’m glad I reached out for some guidance. But I am not trusting getting an engine put in!

In 20 seconds you knew but it took them over 6 hours to get back with me.You are right this is very questionable.

I'm not sure where you are located, and I don't know what their labor rate is. However, it does call for 9.8 hours labor. It's a big job. However, the head gasket (OEM) is under 60 dollars. I attached the flat rate for head gasket replacement on this vehicle in the pic below. The first highlighted thing is the gasket cost. Keeping in mind that there are other material costs such as coolant, cleaner, and so on. The second highlighted number shows labor, 9.8 hours. Multiply that by their hourly rate to determine cost.

Lets say they charge 100.00 an hour x 9.8 = 980.00
Head gasket +57.75
Shop materials +100.00
Aprox total 1113.75

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If you look at the labor for removing and replacing the engine, it is 8.6 hours. See pic 2

Labor 100.00 x 8.6 = 860.00

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If you subtract 860. from the 1113.75 that means they are getting you an engine for less than 254.00 dollars. To me, that doesn't sound possible. They did tell you it would be cheaper to replace the engine, so that's why I added this.

I hope it is helpful. Please let me know what happens or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

I went back over the texts. I had previously asked him why the head gasket couldn’t be replaced. His answer: don’t know how much internal damage is done. Is that sufficient answer?

Honestly, it really is based on findings. For example, was the oil pan filled with engine coolant and oil? Is there evidence of oil in the coolant system? If there is evidence of coolant getting into the engine oil, then it could be a concern. Otherwise, at least to me, that isn't definitive enough. I don't want you to argue with them, but I would want to know why he feels there is possible internal damage.

They charge $40 an hour. 9.8 x $40= $392 + $100 shop materials + head gasket $60 = $552. Does the shop materials include coolant,oil, etc?

8.6 x $40= $344 + $100 shop materials. That’s $444. He says getting an engine due to unknown internal damage. Plus the cost of an engine?

How much does engines cost?

Good point. I didn’t think it was definitive enough either. There was no explanation to me as to why and I thought it very strange. Usually they are pretty open with me. I don’t think I can afford the engine. The replacement yes.

Honestly, I can't tell you what all that covers as far as the shop materials. Every shop has their own set of ideas and rules. As far as the purchase of an engine, it will range based on mileage. I attached a pic below that I just copied from ebay to give you an idea. They have a lot of miles on them and they are 1000.00. I hope that helps.

Let me know if you have questions.
Joe

He’s saying they can’t replace the head gasket because they are not a machine shop and they have to file down the heads. So that’s why he was pushing the engine. First he told me that he would have to send out to the machine shop then he told me he couldn’t do it.

He wants $1,700.00 installed for the engine. He says it has 66,000 miles on it. He didn’t say how much the engine is. So he won’t get me into another car without mine running and he can’t/won’t do the head gasket.

So I’m stuck without income and without a vehicle. I bought that car only a year ago from them and out $1,800.00 down. I feel duped and I have my car payment up to date. Today the payment is due and I’m not paying it.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm concerned if you don't make the payment, you will damage your credit. Will he guarantee the new engine if he replaces it?

Joe

Yes 6 month warranty. I asked him to call the loan people because it was made thru them and put the payment back a month. He did it for me once before. He said he would try.

If he is getting you an engine with that many miles, willing to guarantee his work, and guarantees that is the total cost, it may not be a bad deal. The 6 month warranty, did he mention a mileage limitation or anything other than time?

If the car is in good shape and nothing major is wrong with it, here is how I would look at it. If I was to purchase another car, what could I get for 1700.00 dollars. Then I would make the decision. My biggest concern is because of the mileage on the vehicle, what will happen next, but you know it better than me.


Let me know if I can help in any way.

Joe

My concern is that there is 221,000 miles on the car. It was having cooling issues and I think that the head gasket was going bad when I started losing water/coolant consistently but I didn’t know that’s what it was. I had it in the shop to them multiple times with the cooing issues.

So I’m afraid that I am just throwing money and then I’m going to end up worse off. For $1,700.00 down payment I can get a great car that is not 11 years old. I think I’m going to get dumped on with this car no matter what I do.

That is very possible. If you decide to get a different one, let me know your choice. I may know if there are problems to watch for.

Take care,
Joe

I was looking at three cars: 2016 Dodge Journey SE, 66,000, 2011 Honda Grand Touring, 80,000,, or 2013 BMW 3 series hybrid 72,000. Your thoughts?

You have been so helpful. Thank you for taking so much time with me. Your input helped me tremendously to think about so many angles. .

You are very welcome. Please understand, I am not there to check the vehicles you are looking at. However, The lowest maintenance one listed is the Honda. If the Dodge has the 3.6L V6, that is a great engine. As far as the BMW, they are great cars, but if something breaks, they are very expensive to repair. Are the prices close?

Joe

Yes all close in prices. Also drove a Mazda crux 3 rows. I really like that car. I’m going to another place tomorrow to test drive more. I will probably get one in the next Sadat or two.

I really didn’t like driving the BMW or the Kia Sorrento. I liked the Ford Explorer and Mazda. I think the Mazda is low maintenance and it only had 80,000 for a 2011.

What do you recommend for a three seater with low maintenance? what do you think a reasonable yearly mileage should be? Like a 2011 is a good deal if it only has what less than 15,000 miles a year?

Lower mileage is always good. On average, people drive 15,000 per year as you indicated. The Mazda sounds like a good choice as well. Just do me a favor, never pay what they are asking. LOL I have a feeling you already know that.

Let me know.