Good Afternoon,
I like to say first off, I'm a lady and don't anything about cars. I'd like some suggestions though.
I have 135,000 miles on my car.
2 months ago I replaced the water pump, because the check engine like came on as soon as I got on the freeway I didn't notice if my car overheated (I'm assuming it did) when I exited the freeway it cut off and I had to have it towed.
Last week I noticed heat would not blow, when it did it lasted for a couple of minutes then it was just cool air,
This week the check engine light came on when I started the car and I immediately kept an eye on the temperature gage, it did get close to hot I tried turning the heat on it didn't help, then I had coolant put in. Which has kept it at half way the temperature gauge.
I took it to a mechanic who did the diagnostic thing and I seen it said I needed a coil (either 4, 5 or 6) I forgot which one. But he told me that I needed the coil and a tune up for $650, I ask him did that have anything to do with the overheating, he said no.
Took my car yesterday to a 2nd mechanic who 2 different people referred me to and he said, that the coolant and water was coming out of my tail pipe which means I have an internal leak and he said I need a new engine...I haven't seen any leaking on the ground.
Also notice the care a little bit of shaking, I was told that was because I needed the coil.
My questions are:
1) Although the temperature gauge goes up pretty fast to the half way mark it seems to stay there even after I drove on freeway for like 15 minutes. Is that the normal temperature?
2) Could the replacement of the water pump have anything to do with it?
3) It was suggested to me that it was little extreme for the 2nd mechanic to suggest a new engine, what do you think?
I hope this makes since.