Recently, and very suddenly, I had a message in dash computer display panel that read STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. I immediately pulled off highway and turned off engine. I first checked oil level in dipstick - full after recent oil change. I next check coolant resevoir - nearly running out. I tried restarting engine and set heater controls to blow heat into car - no heat. I tried to pull onto road and within 100 - 200 feet same message. stopped.
Had car towed to my mechanic. First changed thermostat. He noticed that engine fan could be stopped stopped with fingers and suggested that we install new engine fan clutch. While waiting on parts, he thought we could drive car on short trips. Next day, I drove 4-5 miles with same result - STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. Mechanic changed engine fan clutch before additional driving.
Next test, same result in 4-5 miles. As thermostat was displaying temperature ( you could watch dial slowly advance to normal temperature, but rapidly go from slightly above average to hot. We next changed relay switch as we did not recall hearing fan start. Fan turned on as car started.
Next test, same result in 4-5 miles.
Observations, oil has not dropped, but in 4 trips of 5 miles, oil is now very black and dirty. No unusual sounds. Mechanic has used instrument to check water temperature coming out of engine (180) and returning after radiator (150). When monitor is touched to block when temperature sensor is located, it reads 240 just before STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY message appears.
Ideas, thought of faulty water pump, but temperature difference into and out of engine. Car has about 110,000 miles, has had regular oil changes about every 5,000 miles. Did not see any oil in coolant resevoir.
keith
Had car towed to my mechanic. First changed thermostat. He noticed that engine fan could be stopped stopped with fingers and suggested that we install new engine fan clutch. While waiting on parts, he thought we could drive car on short trips. Next day, I drove 4-5 miles with same result - STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. Mechanic changed engine fan clutch before additional driving.
Next test, same result in 4-5 miles. As thermostat was displaying temperature ( you could watch dial slowly advance to normal temperature, but rapidly go from slightly above average to hot. We next changed relay switch as we did not recall hearing fan start. Fan turned on as car started.
Next test, same result in 4-5 miles.
Observations, oil has not dropped, but in 4 trips of 5 miles, oil is now very black and dirty. No unusual sounds. Mechanic has used instrument to check water temperature coming out of engine (180) and returning after radiator (150). When monitor is touched to block when temperature sensor is located, it reads 240 just before STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY message appears.
Ideas, thought of faulty water pump, but temperature difference into and out of engine. Car has about 110,000 miles, has had regular oil changes about every 5,000 miles. Did not see any oil in coolant resevoir.
keith