I bought a 2008 Cx 9, Sport AWD used at 111k miles 5 months ago, it is now 114k. Since then I have replaced: transfer case, condenser.
Last week, I took it to dealership for recalls fix. They suggested to flush coolant as they saw water in the coolant fluid. I agreed and left the car there.
A day later, they called back saying the car could not be started after flushing the coolant. They needed to replace the starter in order to do more diagnostics.
The outcomes were that, the car had had (some) problems that allowed coolant leak into the engine. The coolant has to be at a certain level below FULL (not FULL) and the liquid is not a real coolant (since it was with the previous owner).
(If coolant is real coolant and at FULL, coolant will leak into engine and make the car difficult to start.)
So NOW, the car is running with the mix of 20% coolant and 80% of water, and the level is right at the middle (between FULL and LOW).
The temperature is at the middle. There is smelly smoke at the tail but i assume it is because there is still coolant buildup during the flush. and it will go away soon.
The dealership suggested to either open the engine to see if it is because of the head gasket is bad OR replace the engine with a used engine.
1. Open the engine to check, this is best case scenario if the head gasket needs to be replaced. They quote is $2800. If it turns out something else, the cost maybe higher.
They said that the the 1 and 3 pistons look cleaner (no carbon buildup which means coolant leaks into that side).
2. Replace with the new engine: they said they have a 93k miles engine to replace, and the cost is over $4000.
I have NOT done any of those because I cannot afford just yet.
I am looking for your advice here:
A. Should I keep the car and try to fix the gasket somewhere else (maybe cheaper). At least I can try to fix the side that include the 1 and 3 pistons.
B. Should I replace the engine?
C. Sell the car? I found it unethical to do this as someone will have trouble like me know.
All comments are welcome, and if you have somewhere that can do the work cheaper, please share.
Thanks. Tran
Last week, I took it to dealership for recalls fix. They suggested to flush coolant as they saw water in the coolant fluid. I agreed and left the car there.
A day later, they called back saying the car could not be started after flushing the coolant. They needed to replace the starter in order to do more diagnostics.
The outcomes were that, the car had had (some) problems that allowed coolant leak into the engine. The coolant has to be at a certain level below FULL (not FULL) and the liquid is not a real coolant (since it was with the previous owner).
(If coolant is real coolant and at FULL, coolant will leak into engine and make the car difficult to start.)
So NOW, the car is running with the mix of 20% coolant and 80% of water, and the level is right at the middle (between FULL and LOW).
The temperature is at the middle. There is smelly smoke at the tail but i assume it is because there is still coolant buildup during the flush. and it will go away soon.
The dealership suggested to either open the engine to see if it is because of the head gasket is bad OR replace the engine with a used engine.
1. Open the engine to check, this is best case scenario if the head gasket needs to be replaced. They quote is $2800. If it turns out something else, the cost maybe higher.
They said that the the 1 and 3 pistons look cleaner (no carbon buildup which means coolant leaks into that side).
2. Replace with the new engine: they said they have a 93k miles engine to replace, and the cost is over $4000.
I have NOT done any of those because I cannot afford just yet.
I am looking for your advice here:
A. Should I keep the car and try to fix the gasket somewhere else (maybe cheaper). At least I can try to fix the side that include the 1 and 3 pistons.
B. Should I replace the engine?
C. Sell the car? I found it unethical to do this as someone will have trouble like me know.
All comments are welcome, and if you have somewhere that can do the work cheaper, please share.
Thanks. Tran