99 SLE - timing belt, water pump and more... the new problem

[kaarona1]

Hi all. I know this site is not as active as it used to be but I hope there are still some knowledgable Solara guys still help us out!! I just took my 99 SLE with 165k miles in for timing belt, water pump and had the cam seals replaced as well as the valve seals on the engine. Now after 1 day the check engine light comes on for ineffcient egr valve flow and the radiator is steaming pretty bad once it warms up.

Any ideas? The work was done at the stealership, but they have always had a great rep and treated me right. The work was done on Saturday so have not had a chance to talk to them yet but thought I would ask the experts yet.

My initial throughs are the since I fixed the valve seals it increased compression to normal (I am just guessing) and the EGR valve may have been on the fritz anyway after 160k miles. My thought on the radiator since the water pump was leaking now it is fixed an possibly the increased pressure makes a pin hole in the radiator a problem?? Or hopefully just somthing evaporating but it is a lot of steam.

Thanks for any info or thoughts.

[kaarona1]

I also had the other belts replaced yesterday

[solaraqueen]

where is it steaming from, thats the question, they may have left a hose loose, timing could be a tooth off causing it to get hot, maybe the fans arent plugged in.........

[kaarona1]

Took it back to the dealer and it turns out that they left a vaccum hose disconnected which caused the check engine light and they found a small pin hole in the radiator causing the steam. Apparently with the old water pump leaking there was not enough pressure to make the leak/steam visable. I am going to try some leak stop before having a radiator replaced.

[02slera]

this is why my vehicle never goes to a shop.
im pretty sure they are supposed to check the vehicle out before just giving it back to you.
but i do understand that the timing belt is a larger job that some people dont have time/experience for.
oh and it would be wise to stay away from "stop leak" formulas if you like your car at all.
just replace the part thats leaking.
the only time i ever used stop leak was when i had a 94 ford aerostar that had been technically totaled and had a cracked engine block. It did work well in that case but i would never use this kind of last resort for a radiator leak. there is risk of problems. for example ive personally seen a vehicle with a clogged heater core from this stuff, and ive heard of worse.

[tommyd]

I used Stop Leak in a radiator on a 01 Blazer once and my Heater was never as hot as it should have been since. I lived in Colorado at the time so it made for some cool times...

You can get a Radiator online for a 99 Solara new for $100 give or take a few bucks, just depends on where you order it from, most will ship for free..
I am sure the Dealer would want 200 bills for one no doubt...

[mikemacdonald]

Hi, I am Canadian, and just purchased a '99 Solara and I don't know if I need to do the timing belt or not. I don't trust dealers, because they just quote mileage, and tell me it should be done at that point. Here in Canada, they are saying that the timing belt and related pieces and parts should be done at 145,000km ( APPROX 90,000 miles). My car has 179,000km on it (110000 miles). How do I know if it should be done??

My next question, I live very close to the border, and can work at Canadian or US dealers/service shops. Can you please advise what this service cost you???

Thanks very much in advance.
Mike

Hi all. I know this site is not as active as it used to be but I hope there are still some knowledgable Solara guys still help us out!! I just took my 99 SLE with 165k miles in for timing belt, water pump and had the cam seals replaced as well as the valve seals on the engine. Now after 1 day the check engine light comes on for ineffcient egr valve flow and the radiator is steaming pretty bad once it warms up.

Any ideas? The work was done at the stealership, but they have always had a great rep and treated me right. The work was done on Saturday so have not had a chance to talk to them yet but thought I would ask the experts yet.

My initial throughs are the since I fixed the valve seals it increased compression to normal (I am just guessing) and the EGR valve may have been on the fritz anyway after 160k miles. My thought on the radiator since the water pump was leaking now it is fixed an possibly the increased pressure makes a pin hole in the radiator a problem?? Or hopefully just somthing evaporating but it is a lot of steam.

Thanks for any info or thoughts.