Would bad heater or radiater hoses cause a car to overheat or the guage to fluctuate?

Question

I am buying a 1996 Pontiac Trans Am. The guy selling it to me says that the heater hoses have gone bad, and that it makes the car's temperature fluctuate on the guage.. he says that it fluctuates because the faulty hoses are sucking air into the radiator? Does this sound like he's telling the truth? A mechanic told me that it could be a blown head gasket.. please help

Answer 1

It definately could be a blown head gasket.  Overheating issues should not be taken lightly, as they can lead to a world of trouble.

One test you can use to check for a blown head gasket is to check the oil using the dipstick.  Oil is dark in color, but if you have a blown head gasket, the oil is a little lighter in color, milkier.  If the oil is fine, this does not necessarily mean you dont have a blown head gasket, but if the oil isnt fine, thats a pretty good indicator that it is.

Could be a busted thermostat.

Is there a water leak?  I recently fixed a water leak that caused serious temperature guage fluctuation.  Test drive the car, make sure the engine gets hot, and then park it over a piece of cardboard and see if it leaks coolant.

If there is air getting into the cooling system, then yes, that could also cause it.  But that would be hard to locate.  

I would try to find another vehicle, becuase many things could be causing this to occur.

Answer 2

As a master ase certified technician, I would not purchase that car. They are nothing but problems. If the heater hoses were the problem, why wouldn't they invest the 20 or 30 dollars on repairing them and keep the car. Sounds like there is definately something wrong, probably major, in addition to the hoses. If for some reason, you really love the car, tell them you might be interested in buying the car if they have the hoses replaced and the problem is fixed. If they say no, then walk away.

Answer 3

If air can grt in then water would get out, If the coolant level is correct then I would say that it is a head gasket, as that would be the most likely way for engine compression to enter the cooling system.

Answer 4

the mechanic told you more of what it might could be that's causing that to happen have the vehicle checked before you buy it,this one may have a bad head gasket on it ,this may be why he,s wanting to sell it rather than fix it,be careful it may cost more to repair this car than you,ll be paying for it,good luck on it,

Answer 5

Here is an easy way to check for a blown head gasket. The signs are simple and straight forward: First, take off the oil cap. If you see yellow looking color surrounding the top, that indicates a blown head gasket. Typically, if that is blown, that means that you will have low compression between each cylinders where it went out. So if you check the compression or ask him that, than that can indicate it as well. Also, check for low radiator fluid. If the coolant is low and it's not leaking on the ground, it has to be going somewhere. Usually with a blown head gasket, that'll travel throughout the block and then since the gasket isn't sealed, it can seep through and get inside the cylinder and burn it. If it gets inside the cylinder, that will mix with your motor oil and give you a chocolate milk look when it is drained. With that, you will also see white smoke coming out of the exhaust. White smoke means coolant is being burned. Finally, you can also take off the radiator cap and start the car. If you see that is is bubbly, than that indicates it as well. Blown head gaskets are really not hard to fix at all unless you don't have any experience in this field. i myself had two blown head gaskets on my Chevelle and my friends and I replaced it. We are 19 years old and after that, the car sounds and runs great. It is just time consuming and it is not a project you want to try if you don't know what to look for. Finally, if you check all these above, that should give you a good answer. But I wouldn't buy this unless you can get a definite answer. First thing first: check for white smoke coming out of exhaust and check the oil to see if it looks chocolate milkish. If that does and you decide to buy it, get it fixed before driving it or really doing anything to it. That is really hard on the bearings and wear out your piston rings which will lower the compression. Low compression = no start. And if it keeps going, time for a rebuilt or time to put a lot of zeros on a check for a new motor. Good luck!

Answer 6

if the radiator hoses are closing up when you give it gas, that will make it overheat, also a thermostat sticking will do it too.

Answer 7

Have a Engine Block test, this is done by using a special fluid. Also check your crank case oil filler cap, make sure you dont have a white looking foam there, indicating a blown or cracked head gasket or intake gasket leak. Pinch off the hoses to the heater this will take the heater out of the circuit, have done this many times myself. Have the thermostat checked, and proper flow in the cooling system. Dont take the word from the seller, have the car checked out by a automotive shop, this deal sounds FISHY to me.

Answer 8

a bad heater or radiator hose could positively overheat your car but it wouldn't fluctuate for long. it would quickly lose water and stay overheated. a bad heater hose has a tendecy to leak water onto the passenger side carpet. a bad radiaror hose will leave a puddle under your car. a blown head gasket or warped head will turn your oil milky white and you will see water dripping from your tailpipe.

before doing anything take out the themostat and throw it away. you don't need it during the summer. if that corrects the problem then replace it.