Rep Power: 0

I was driving down the interstate when suddenly engine died (felt like ran out of gas but have full tank) car was normal temp. Car would turn over, but wouldn't start. looked under the hood coolant was all over the passenger side near back of engine and fire wall. I have had a small coolant leak prior to this. Radiator looks ok but was completely empty (cap was not hot at all after driving for 45 minutes!) as was the reserve, appeared that the coolant came from back side of engine. I am not a mechanic, but my guess is the water pump quit. Is this possible without the engine over heating? Is there a setting that shuts engine off when water pump quits, or could it effect the timing belt which caused it to die and not start? From what i read it could be lots of things, but from the fact that coolant was everywhere i assume it has to do with water pump. Sorry i am a very novice mechanic and may not be able to explain things well but please help! Car is currently setting on the interstate waiting to be towed.

 
Rep Power: 173

That doesn't sound like a water pump issue because it was doing its job and pumping the coolant out of whatever hole you have in the system! It doesn't sound like you blew the head gasket since it drained so quickly, so you might have gotten lucky and it's just a blown hose. That's a relatively quick fix. You should try to pinpoint that leak ASAP.

 
Rep Power: 517

Step #1: Refill the cooling system and figure out exactly what is leaking.



THEN you can figure out what happened and why.






^^^This guy says....

you popped a heater hose......


under the distributor......


it was ruined by.....


soaking in oil leaks.......


until the rubber.....


rotted and got weak.......


........and the distributor cap got wet and killed the engine.........


<<<end of transmission>>>

 
Rep Power: 173

Dammit ezone, your answers are always so much cooler than mine! :-P

 
Rep Power: 517

It was early for me. No coffee.