rplumbo

Thanks all. I spoke with the mechanic again this morning. They had a test they can do to see if it's HGs. For $50, I can know either way and that'll help me determine how to proceed. I'll post the results when I get them. Thanks!

I just turned over 175k miles on my 97 OBW with 2.5 engine. I think I've been happily "beating the odds" with this car since I first learned of the HG issues on these engines. About 3 months ago, while idling I noticed my heater starting to blow cold air and temp start rising. Since I was on the street, I pulled forward into a driveway and as soon as I hit the throttle to move the car, the heat returned and the temp gauge went back to normal. Two weeks later, after not having the problem reoccur, I brought the car into my mechanic to have some unrelated work done (axels), and asked them to flush and replace the coolant. They did so, said it looked "chunky" and I went on my way. A week later, while driving slowly, same thing. Temp started rising and the heat went away. These short episodes continued about once a week for the next three weeks. THEN, last night I was driving home. I look down and my temp gauge is climbing while doing 70 on the highway. I pull over and shut off the engine, pop the hood and check things out. Overflow tank looks fine, no bubbles, coolant looks good, BUT coolant had obviously been pushed out of the overflow tank. The engine compartment had coolant all over it, but the overflow tank still appeared full. I waited for the engine to cool, and proceeded down the highway. I made it about 2/3 of a mile before the same thing happens. This time when I check the overflow, it's bone dry, and I can see that the walls of the tank have a brown film on them. Ran to the store, bought some coolant, refilled to the cold line. Idled engine and the same thing happened and no obvious improvement - the temp gauge would slowly climb. However, this time, the overflow tank remained at the same level through the idling. Is there hope this is something else other than a head gasket? It's now at a mechanic and I'm going to speak with him about what to do. I was thinking of having him check the cooling system, do another flush and generally check things over. Things that point to HG: Loss of heat Slight film in coolant overflow tank Coolant overflowed overflow tank into engine compartment Against HG: I've never seen a bubble in the overflow tank Coolant always looks nice and green, no obvious discoloration Is there hope? Thanks!