How long do you run it with the Cascade? Half an hour or so? At least long enough to get the thermostat open I figure.
2012 Chevy Sonic 1.8 - "Chocolate Milkshake" in Coolant Reservoir
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Exactly.
The Sonic's master phoned me this morning. The car ran great yesterday, and then stalled and died completely three times this morning. After a few minutes it would start again. Oy!
He brought it over this evening, and of course it wouldn't do it - the dreaded "No fault found - intermittent problem" situation. But then he mentioned that the clock had reset. Ah! I poked around on the 'net and found one video about a problem with the -ve battery cable on this gen of Sonic and Cruze.
My friend brought it back over, and I tugged and bent the -ve cable. Nothing. Then, just because, I lifted up the protective plastic cover to inspect the +ve terminal and connections to the cable. The car died. Oho! It turned out that the plate attached to the +ve cable, from which most everything takes off, was very loose. I tightened down the nut, and think we've solved the problem.
We added a capsule of powdered dishwasher detergent, and drove for about 40 minutes. Drained the water/oil/slime/detergent mixture when we got back. Disgusting! Filled the system with city water, added another dose of powdered dishwasher detergent, and the owner will drive it for a day or so, and do a couple of drain-and-fill cycles.
Then it's time for distilled water and coolant.
As Mr Churchill said, "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it may be the end of the beginning."
It pains me to say that the timing belt is due in about 10,000 km.
He brought it over this evening, and of course it wouldn't do it - the dreaded "No fault found - intermittent problem" situation. But then he mentioned that the clock had reset. Ah! I poked around on the 'net and found one video about a problem with the -ve battery cable on this gen of Sonic and Cruze.
My friend brought it back over, and I tugged and bent the -ve cable. Nothing. Then, just because, I lifted up the protective plastic cover to inspect the +ve terminal and connections to the cable. The car died. Oho! It turned out that the plate attached to the +ve cable, from which most everything takes off, was very loose. I tightened down the nut, and think we've solved the problem.
We added a capsule of powdered dishwasher detergent, and drove for about 40 minutes. Drained the water/oil/slime/detergent mixture when we got back. Disgusting! Filled the system with city water, added another dose of powdered dishwasher detergent, and the owner will drive it for a day or so, and do a couple of drain-and-fill cycles.
Then it's time for distilled water and coolant.
As Mr Churchill said, "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it may be the end of the beginning."
It pains me to say that the timing belt is due in about 10,000 km.
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Time for an update - the Sonic has run well since these repairs. We did several more dishwasher detergent drain-and-fills, and the reservoir looks pretty good now.
We added enough coolant (before winter) to protect to below -40. We also changed oil and filter, lubed the one stabilizer-bar end link equipped with grease fittings, and installed the winter tires.
I don't know if I want to take on the timing belt - it's about due mileage wise, and is probably overdue timewise. It would be the next maintenance item due.
We added enough coolant (before winter) to protect to below -40. We also changed oil and filter, lubed the one stabilizer-bar end link equipped with grease fittings, and installed the winter tires.
I don't know if I want to take on the timing belt - it's about due mileage wise, and is probably overdue timewise. It would be the next maintenance item due.
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