My max was leaking coolant from the motor. I thought it was the water pump. After replacing that (not cheap!) I found out the real problem. The thermostat had stuck closed causing preassure to build up on 1 side of the system causing a freeze plug to start leaking. Guess which one! You're right, the one between the engine and transmission! Oh boy, now I have to drop the tranny and fix that. Well at least I won't need a water pump anytime soon.

 

yup.. the freeze plugs are a pretty common thing to fail in a 10 year old car. I recommend replacing all of them you can get to- on the front, sides, and rear of the block.

 

Hmmm... I wonder if THAT might be my problem in my car?? Water pump's fine, but I kinda figured it may be the thermostat.

 

If your heat's not working and when you feel the bottom or top radiator hose and there's no water flow, the thermostat is probly stuck closed.

 

OMG!! That's EXACTLY the symptoms I've got going on. I thought for a moment it might be the water heater, but now that you've said that, I'm gonna check my thermostat right NOW!!! Thanks, dude!!

 

the water heater? uhhhhh......

 

ROFL!!!!

 

Hmmmm.... maybe I should move the y-bong away from the monitor BEFORE typing, huh?
(y'all knew what I was talkin' bout, Willis!!)

 

ok my heater works, but someone on the board told me my thermostat might be bad because the temperature needle drops in really cold weather when you hit highway speeds. When you get back into town and slow down it rises slowly again to normal. It doesnt drop drastically, just gradually, the same way the it rises from initial startup. This weird and attributed ti the thermostat or what?

 

From what I can gather from your post, your thermostat appears to be stuck in the open position. Not as serious of a problem as having it stuck in the closed position. When replacing the thermostat, make sure to get the appropriate unit. I had to go to the dealer to get mine, about $18.