Pontiac Sunfire Car Trouble......MECHANICS ONLY or guys who know.............?

[l0v3 =)]

I have a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire and it has 215,000 miles on it. I changed the spark plugs on it two months ago. Sometimes it will start and other time it won't...or if it starts, it'll go for a little while and stop again. It has an oil leak and it overheats a lot. There is a hole in the coolant(where you put the antifreeze) so I have just been using water. It's making this really strange noise....as if an animal was being strangled...really high pitched. It also says check gages and I dont know what that means...and track off...whatever that means...I'm just so lost. I am trying to avoid getting a new engine because I know that it'll cost me at least 2,000 dollars and I'm just a student. I can't afford that right now. Any help please???

If there's anything else that you need to know, email me:

clw21_wwjd@yahoo.com

Thanks guys.

 

[micron816]

If your startup problems began to happen after you put new plugs in maybe they arent gapped properly or you may need a new distributer cap and wires. Its not good to only change your plugs, you should also replace the wires and the distributer cap while your at it. Another thing is do not under any circumstanses only use water for your coolant this is why your over heating. The coolant is designed to handle much higher tempratures than water. Fix it or replace the radiator and use coolant not water. You may have also damaged your thermostat because of this. The high pitch noise is tricky unless I could hear it and determine where its coming from exactly I cant help you, but most times its a belt that is either no good or slipping. Everything youve mentioned isnt gonna be too costly to keep the car running for a while longer but you shouldnt let things build up on you like that. When it comes to cars simple cheap fixes can become very expensive damages if left unchecked.

 

[Demonica™² ??||???|]

definately need a tune up. Also might want to check your alternator.
Get a buddy to fix your radiator with sealant until you are able to buy a new radiator (about $300) . your oil leak may be from a bad head gasket. have that looked at and make sure your keep and eye on your oil.

You need to have a diagnostic ran on your car as for the lights that come on

 

[chuck]

This is just a hunch based on your information.

It sounds like your water pump is worn out. There are metal fins inside the pump that are probably rubbing the metal engine making a high pitched whine. Plus the water pump will leak coolant when it wears out. Since there is little coolant, the engine overheats. Since there is not enough water at the top of the engine, a sensor tells the computer to turn on the "check engine" light. There is a round wheel attached to the water pump that is turned by a rubber belt. If that round wheel is looks slightly crooked compared to the belt, or it feels loose, the pump is bad.

It is not impossible to replace, it is just in a tight spot. The part is less than $50. A mechanical friend could replace in your driveway in around 2 hours. A shop will charge $300 to $500.

Keep plenty of water in the radiator. Don't run the engine too much or else it will get way to hot and then you will have a $2000 problem.

The hard starting could be due to a timing belt that is worn out (spark), or fuel related (fuel pump), or air related (throttle body cleaning, air filter).

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[KnottyPine1213]

Have you ever had the transmission replaced?? If not.. its probably failing.. with a car with that many miles on it.. it is due for a major haul..and you are lucky if you have gotten this far without one already.

 

[cruelkitti]

What noise, if any, does it make when it won't start? Coolant leaks aren't a big deal if it's leaking from the radiator. New radiators are fairly cheap and easy to replace, and you can buy stopleak for less than ten bucks. They're just pellets you dump into your radiator and they seal up any cracks in your radiator. You need to find out where the leak is.

DO NO replace the engine. DO NOT replace the transmission. That will cost much more than just buying another car...You may be able to find a dependable car for less than 1000 bucks.

Where is the noise coming from? Open up your hood while your car is running, it could just be a squeaky belt.

Your car starts for a little while and then stops again? What do you mean? It dies? When? It dies while you are driving? If so, is it while you are stopped in traffic or while you are literally driving down the road?

If it overheats even while it has water or coolant in it, maybe it is your thermostat. If it is your thermostat, typically, it can become stuck and unstuck randomly which will make the tendency to overheat unpredictable. That is cheap and easy to replace.

When it overheats, is there steam on the inside of your window?

If so, this could be your heater core...

If your car overheats while it has fluid in it, there is no steam on the inside of your window and it's not the thermostat, it could be your waterpump.

If your car overheats too much, it could crack the head or blow the head gasket.

I don't know what check gages or track off mean either, I've never had a car that said those things, but I also tend to ignore lights because often times, blown fuses are the reason they're even lit.

ps

yeah, using water isn't the best, but if you're leaking enough water to the point where you have to replace it every other day, it can be really expensive using antifreeze, and at 200,000 plus miles, I don't think I'd be worried about it. BUT, when the weather gets cold enough to freeze water, you better start putting antifreeze in it

 

[bobweb]

Consider parking it and paying a friend for a ride to school. You may have to transfer to a school that's close enough to ride a bike to. What about mass transportation like public bus, rail, subway etc? Your car's automatic transmission is due to fail soon if it has never been replaced.
However, the high pitched noise may be a slipping fan belt or the serpentine belt may need replacing ($100 job). If freezing temperatures come to your area, make sure to always add half water and half antifreeze. If your yellow check engine light has come on, get the error codes read out at an auto store or shop that does it for free to see if there's something causing the stalling. The overheating can seriously damage the engine. If it has severely overheated on several occassions, I would make sure the engine's head gasket has not failed. That's an easy test for a good shop to do. If the engine needs a new head gasket, I would consider junking the car since an automatic transmission with that many miles on it won't last long anyways. I wouldn't invest much money in the car. The money would be better spent somewhere else.

 

[Pedal2TheMetal45]

HI
You best get it in and get it fixed or you well be walking.. You should never use straight water.. it well cause rust and it has no lubricant for the water pump so that can burn out also.. If its starting to get cold where you are at best get some antifreeze in it or you well crack the motor.. and it well be done.
good luck
Tim

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[Jonathan N]

I agree with the other answer but as a cheaper alternative you can get an additive called blue angel at advance auto parts it looks like windshield washer fluid but it will stop most leaks even head gaskets it cost about sixty bucks just follow the directions I have used it several times to get people through til they can save money to change head gasket or engine or whatever I have people that have had it in for three years and have no problems now. It comes with money back gaurantee so it is worth a shot. the shutting off part does your security light come on???