We bought a toyota estima last week off here and i just went to pick the kids up from school and steam started coming out from under the bonnet.It had made a bubbling sound and when i switched the engine off it spat loads of water out the bottom.I waited for it to cool down and filled the water back up and drove the 5 mins to home and there was no water coming out. Does anyone know what this could mean! I am about 20 mins from the nearest garage and would have to drive over the highway with 3 kids to get there. Thanks in advance for any help.
kazbanz,
Mar 13, 2:12pm
it "could" mean you have a stuck thermostat or could mean the cylinder head is cracked--two extremes. What year and engine is the estima! In any case I'd be getting it to a mechanic before you do a lot of damage--right now it may be minor
loulou104,
Mar 13, 2:13pm
It's a 96 and 2.5 automatic.
andy61,
Mar 13, 2:56pm
They never came with a 2.5 engine,check again.
loulou104,
Mar 13, 2:57pm
2500cc.
gadgit3,
Mar 13, 3:00pm
2.2 diesel or 2.4 petrol!
gadgit3,
Mar 13, 3:02pm
Either way you need to have someone that knows what there looking at check it out. Not uncommon for them to over heat if the cooling system is in bad shape.
loulou104,
Mar 13, 3:06pm
So do i just park it up and not drive it until it's been looked at!
thunderbolt,
Mar 13, 3:06pm
2.4 petrol. Get it to a close garage as soon as you can, could save you bigger $$$.
loulou104,
Mar 13, 3:11pm
I've messaged a mechanic i know so hopefully he can come to mine to look at it or i'll take it to his work in the morning. Do you think it will be ok to drive over the motorway! The only other thing is i don't want to get stuck in town if the van is stuffed ad not be able to get back for the kids. I could just about cry! The last time we bought a van we managed to seize the engine up so we've all been crammed into a little hatchback for so long and we now we really need a van.
superdave0_13,
Mar 13, 3:43pm
If you fill it back up with water and it lasts a week or so untill it overheats again it might be fair to assume you have been ripped off by the previous owner.
intrade,
Mar 13, 3:45pm
did i not tell you not to buy that peace of crap
modie61,
Mar 13, 3:45pm
Id get it checked out at yours asap. Dont leave the kids alone will you ! Getting it checked out now,may save you lots of dollars as said above.
mugenb20b,
Mar 13, 3:50pm
I could just about cry too when I see people forking out lots of money for an old shitter. Why didn't you buy something newer with a service history! And, be honest, how often do you check your oil, water and tyre pressures!
kazbanz,
Mar 13, 3:50pm
Short version loulou--go nowhere till its checked out by a mechanic. Definitely don't go driving down the motorway into town. hey look the mechanic might say--MEHH bunch of idiots don't know what they are on about. OR he might say--Thank gosh you listened to those guys you just dsaved THOUSANDS in repair bills. Is it worth the risk!
intrade,
Mar 13, 3:54pm
dont go buying a mitsubishi or mazda van either . i tell you that one as a wee hint also .
loulou104,
Mar 13, 5:23pm
We couldn't afford a newer vehicle.
loulou104,
Mar 13, 5:25pm
I did listen, that was for a diesel one and everyone told me to stay away from the diesel versions and go for petrol instead which is what we did. I listened to the advice on that one and we did n't buy it.
gammelvind,
Mar 13, 5:35pm
Kaz has the best advice, get it looked at immedately, only then you will know if it is serious. Wish you luck, they are a good sized vehicle, you may have to allow a few extra dollars to get the cooling system totally refurbished.
mothergoose_nz,
Mar 13, 5:59pm
partner says it must be an esteamer.
yendor,
Mar 13, 6:30pm
You are seriously driving 5 minutes to school!, why don't you walk!
mugenb20b,
Mar 13, 7:00pm
Yes, but sometimes, it's better to put a $4k deposit down on a more reliable vehicle and pay the difference off. Even though I'm highly against financing up depreciating assets.
I was recently looking at 7 seater vehicles myself in the $10k to $12k bracket, I had the cash and I was looking at 2002 Estimas, 2004 Grandis, etc. I went to a dealer that was close by, found a good, well maintained Hyundai Trajet. It was perfect for our needs, and the price was $9k. The car itself is nothing special, but I checked it out throughly and it was in very good mechanical condition. My wife offered a very urealistic figure of $7k (even I told her she was dreaming) and to cut the long story short, we got it for $7200, so I bought it purely because of the price. Only done 128 000 kms and had a FSH.
The point I'm trying to make is that by being patient, you can always negotiate a price and get a good deal.
nathanmac,
Mar 13, 7:58pm
must be nice to live in a place where it never rains.
ontwowheels,
Mar 13, 8:08pm
WOW. what because kids melt in the rain! Do they not sell raincoats and umbrellas in Invercargill! Wish My kids could walk to School, but it takes about an hour to walk, and is not on a safe road. (which may be the case in the OP's situation)
nathanmac,
Mar 13, 8:13pm
WOW - nice bite. And she lives in Dunedin by the way.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.