Oil leak and antifreeze leak
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Hello, everyone. I'm a frustrated single mom ( only because of my car, lol )who has a
2001 Toyota Solara 4 cyl at 214,000 miles. Janurary or February of this year 2015 my
TBelt and WPump went out after replacing it about a little under 2 yrs ago. First mistake
was taking it back to the shop who did the repairs the first time.
So, my Solara goes back to the same shop, I was told due to my tensioners is what
caused my TBelt and WPump to go out again. Another 450$ I pay and while so called
fixing my car I was told I had a bad upper radiator hose. They found some drips around
the area the hose is connecting to going towards engine. General area around where the
thermostat sensor is. I said fine fix it because they weren't going to charge me labor.
After all said is done and my piggy bank is empty. Three months into having my car back.
Surprise, surprise, there is oil spitting out all over my new TBelt, and, down in the erea
where a tech would poor new oil ( around a big white cap) as well as coolant leaking very
heavily right under the upper radiator hose? There is another hose right under the upper
radiator hose. Right in that area going away from the radiator itself. At the end of that
hose that's where my antifreeze leak is and its green color. I can't keep antifreeze in my
reserve tank, but there is antifreeze in the radiator. I also hear gurgling sounds while I
drive coming from engine. The sound seems like its closest to the dash area.
How , I discovered the leaks was after I had an oil change and brakes done two different
shops, which was about a week ago. First oil change, funny thing is where I took my car
to get my oil change they didn't tell me anything about it. I was told I needed a new front
dim light , air filter, front brakes, and, tires. Well after driving my car a day or so, I smelt
oil burning. I figured it's just probably because I just had my oil changed and maybe
some oil made contact with my engine. I think nothing about it. Second week comes
then I take my car in to get my front brakes down, different shop. Then that's when the
mechanic called me back to show me all the damage. I was at aww!
I know my car is old and car needs maintance after a while, I understand that. Is it just
my luck that new occurances are happening, which are causing my new work to fail. Or
do u feel it's a possibility do to lack of training on from mechanic.
Any advice please? I'm a google fanatic now trying to understand my engine and its
parts. Thank you to each and everyone who can fill my ear with knowledge. I look
forward to hearing from u.
