QuestionI have a 97 Altima and had the 120K service recently done.
The mechanic told me that there was head gasket leak and he has plugged in some kind of glue to prevent the coolant from leaking into the engine.
Now, the car over heats in 5 to 8 miles of driving, even in the city, with speed not exceeding 40 mph.
When i start the car after its parked over night, i see white smoke from the exhaus pipe for around 2 to 5 minutes and then nothing.
I drive the card around the complex for 5 minutes and with the blower set to full heat and i get only cold air through the vents.
After stopping i check the hood and see some coolant spray from the radiator cap.
The hoses are warm-to-ho to touch.
The mechanic now says, its a blown head gasket. The spray from the coolant is seen only after getting this 120k service done.
AnswerAnup,
Your mechanic did a good thing in attempting to plug the leak with a block sealant. But, it is a hit or miss repair and about half the time it does not work. The correction now is to replace the headgasket. Also, have the thermostat and radiator cap replaced while the head is off.
