Can't even drive my own car...

[Spectre062]

My car was in an accident back in January and my insurance company recommended a local shop for me to take it to. I've pretty much been out of a car since then. The car was finally all repaired and ready for pickup in late May. I went to the shop, paid my deductible, signed the insurance check and took the car. On the way home from the shop, I pull into a station to get some gas and at this point realize that steam is seeping out from under the edges of the hood. I pop it and watch as my entire coolant reservoir sprays out around the seems of the fill cap. The cap was fully tightened...I bought more coolant, filled it there at the station and let all the air bleed out of the system. Two days later, I drive the car again...same story.

I take the car back to the shop and ask them to fix the problem as well as address some other issues I've noticed with it. A week and a half ago, I get the call and go to pick up the car again. They claim the coolant boiling over was the result of a bad sensor and the thermostat was stuck open. Whatever...I take the car and leave. All seems to be in good working order, but as I drive home from the shop, my right exhaust tip FALLS OFF in traffic, nearly hitting another driver as it bounces to the side of the road. I call the shop right there and tell them what happened. The owner starts to pull an attitude and tell me it's not his fault, but eventually I convince him to order a fresh tip and weld it PROPERLY this time.

The car sits in my garage while the tip is on order (lord knows how long that'll be coming from Roush) Finally, I go to drive it again the other day and after 20 minutes on the road, it spills all the coolant again, just like before. Now the temp gauge is never reading high, maybe just a few notches past the middle, but the car still seems to be overheating. I'm taking it back to the shop a THIRD time, but I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas as to what the issue might be...

[RoushMach1]

Did they replace the cap?

[FNSweetS3]

I feel your pain (about 5 years ago for 6 months) i won't clutter up your thread... but just wish you luck!

[MairHouse16]

That really sucks and reading it pissed me off - good luck.

[06Roush_st_3]

Well I think it is obvious the thermostat is not stuck open.

I think I would put a call into the dealership and see if they will give you any info. It souds to me like the system is over-pressuring, but not likely, or the cap if faulty.

I have never heard of this before and if the gauge is staying normal then that adds alot more confusion.

[06Roush_st_3]

Also,

This story is typical of companies and businesses not serving their customers.

Kinda like my service issue with Roush, and Mark P.

I would also call the Insurance company and tell them the shop did poor work and can't fix the car. If nothing else it might make you feel better.

[SS]

I have had the same issue when I installed the SC. There are lines on the side of the coolant reservoir. Cold line, Hot line. IF you over fill the coolant reservoir IT WILL BOIL OUT when the car warms up without showing HOT on the gauge. Fill the system to the cold line start the car let it warm up and fill as needed till system is to full running temp and fill to HOT line.(This leaves about 2.5" in the coolant reservoir for fluid expansion) I haven't had a boil over since!

Hope that helps a bit I know I did the same thing the shop is doing fill it to the max when cold start it let it warm up fill it again to the max then turn the car off. But when you start driving it is when it will boil over and its a lot of coolant that it spits out of that coolant reservoir.

[Star Driver]

Is the cooling fan working at all? I've been battling the same thing on my limo. (Found out someone had pulled a fuse on one of the fan circuits and the relay was bad also.)

[jwk0721]

What insurance company paid for the repairs? I would give the shop one last try to fix the car or buy it off of you. Insurance companies will buy vehicles for poor repair jobs or they will pay for another shop to fix the vehicle correctly. If you really want to stick it to them check out Wreck Check if it is your area. They will pick a car to pieces for poor repair jobs and then you will have documented proof that the vehicle has repair issues. I was an insurance adjuster and had to deal with these problems on a weekly basis and legally persuade shops to do what was best!!! FIX IT OR BUY IT sometimes I had to buy them back for certain reasons.

[Rangersfan]

Call your ins. company immediately! By law they must make sure the car is restored to pre-accident condition. You should not even be dealing with this yourself. Involve your insurance and let them add some muscle behind the arguement. Especially if they were approved for their repairs. Technically they paid for the repairs minus your deductable, and they are responsible for making sure the car is repaired correctly and that's it's safe to be on the road.