slowpokezx2

Three things started at the exact same time.

1. The fan will not blow warm air. Whether it is on cold or hot the same temp air comes out.

2. The temp gauge is freaking out. When starting out it warmed up just fine but then it would get really warm while driving but if I let off the gas to coast or was at an idle it would go back to normal (a hair below half). Now it barely moves as the car warms up, after idling for 30 minutes in my garage the needle was at C.

3. The most severe problem. While driving to work (25mins) the car was running fine (except the temp gauge). I stopped at the red light 4 blocks from my work and the engine started "knocking" and sputtering like the case was bone dry. I pulled the car out of the intersection, turned it off and let it sit. After ~5mins I started it up and drove it for 1 block (perfect running) where I stopped at a stop sign, the motor again started knocking again and I turned it off and pulled over again. After work I checked the oil while cool and the oil was fine. I started it up and drove it home (perfect running). I was 3/4 mile from my house when it died again at a stop sign, same engine knocking. Today, I did an oil change and let the car idle for 30mins, no knocking or pinging but the oil light is on.

The car runs smooth with no knocking or pinging at speed, only at idle.

slowpokezx2

OK, so after draining the coolant, replacing the thermostat and refilling the radiator i finally got a code I could work with. P0117. I figured the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor was out of wack. I replaced it and the cooling fan works now along with the temperature gauge.

Part two, I pulled the oil pan and found that the oil pickup tube had sludge all over it. Inspecting the filter it was almost completely clogged, with only a dime sized clean spot. Pulled that, completely cleaned the screen, cleaned the oil pan, put a new silicon bead gasket on it and I'm waiting for it to dry as we speak. I'm thinking that will fix the problem.

Bert

That sounds like you got it. That sludge is from the past owners not changing the oil often enough, if at all. Keep us posted on how it turns out.

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Bert

slowpokezx2

Should have thought about the sludge problem before. The car was registered to a single owner, California car. Tags expired in September 2009. Car was impounded in January 2010 for driving on expired/suspended registration. I just bought the car in August 2010. So basically the car has been sitting for 7 months and who knows how old the oil/oil filter/gas was before it was seized.

Bert

Well, at least you gat a handle on it.

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Bert