QuestionWe have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE and noticed problems with our heat 2 days ago. If the fan was blowing on the windshield, there would be no heat. After shutting the fan off and switching it to blow on the passengers, it would blow heat. Then it started doing more, like being hot and then cooling down. We had our oil changed yesterday at a dealership and they didn't say anything about the coolant fluid in the tank being dark or that there was anything wrong. My dad looked at it today and found the coolant fluid in the tank was really dark and also found what looks like oil in the radiator itself. What could this be?
Also, we have a belt squeaking. It usually starts after the van has been running a bit. The squeaking gets faster the faster we go. What belt could this be?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
AnswerHi Sarah,
If the 'oil' in the radiator and the overflow bottle looks to be fresh, sort of sitting on the top and not mixed in, then I would wonder if someone who didn't know the coolant filler caps from the oil filler cap on the engine proper goofed. Hard to believe, but possible.
The other possibility is that you have a headgasket leak such that there is a pathway in the engine between the oil system and the cooling system and so the fluids are interchanging as both are under pressure when the engine is running. Did the oil look cloudy/milky before you changed it, or if it does look that way in the near future then that would explain why these fluids are ending up in the wrong system. So keep an eye on that possibility as well. If you believe the oil is on the top of the radiator and the overflow bottle fluid I would suck it out with a baster and then observe for whether or not more comes in to replace it. Keep you eye on this situation as you don't want it to go on like this if it is a headgasket leak.
On the heating issue, that too could be related to the loss of coolant in the oil, which would leave a void and that would cause a reduction in heat that varies. You might not have that though, and so I would recommend that you do a self-calibration of the heater/ac control panel as follows
Here is what to do, with the engine running:
CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY
TO INITIATE TESTS:
Set Blower motor ON HIGH
Set Mode position to Panel
Open all A/C outlets
Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped)
Depress WASH and REAR WIPER button simultaneously for 5 Seconds (Until all LED's light)
RESULTS:
All LED's will turn on for 5 Seconds
Calibration Test is running when REAR WIPER and INTERMITTENT are alternately flashing. Cooldown test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
Acceptable results is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.
After all tests have passed, Calibration Diagnostics and Cooldown can be run separately.
Then let me know if there is some other combination of lights flashing when this is finished. And also see whether the problem has been solved via the calibration procedure.
On the belt squealing, you didn't say which engine but there may only be 1 belt, but in any case the best thing to do is open the hood and rev the engine and listen to locate which pulley is squeeling and then look over that belt carefully. Also check to see if that pulley is in the same plane as the other pulleys as the device that is squeeking may be slightly off-angle or displaced from the plane of the other pulley for that belt.
Roland
PS Use the 'thank/rate' tab below to get back to me, without having to wait for me to be 'available' to take a question. There is a space for comments, to which I will respond.
Hi Sarah,
I was wondering how things worked out with the oil and the heater? Please let me know by using the 'thank/rate' tab below. While you are there, if I might ask a favor: where it asks about a 'nomination for expert of the month' I would appreciate your entering a 'yes'. I am in a close race for that honor so every vote counts!
Thanks,
Roland
