found some more problems, need advice

JakeMonkey · Apr 22nd, 2004, 04:36 PM

alright guys, i thought that my problems were getting narrowed down, but they jsut keep getting worse. anyways, my main question is: Apparently my rear differential is cracked, what would this cause, mainly? it seems like when i let off of and get on the gas, the car thumps and bounces in the back, like it's not grabbing correctly, or maybe it's shifting around inside. also, when i try to accelerate in a high gear at low RPM's, there is a sort of a low grinding/grumbling noise coming from the back. i'm not really sure how bad the damage is on it, i need to get it checked ASAP. just wondered if anybody had ran into something similar, and had any clue as to what it may be.
another question i had is i replaced my thermostat last night, and it took care of my overheating problems....almost. when i am driving, and putting load on the motor, it runs beautifully, with the temp gauge a tiny bit under midway, never any higher. but, if i stop and leave it running, or get stuck in traffic, the temp gauge goes up fairly quickly, and steam starts coming from my hood. but when i take off again, and start putting load on the motor, it goes right back down. is this a sign of a bad water pump? it's the only thing i can figure might be wrong at this point.

JAMESZ · Apr 22nd, 2004, 05:53 PM

Ok forst check your diff for fluid. R200s are known for being indestructable but if the fluid isn't there in the right amounts that will finish it off.

Your water pump may be part of the problem but I dont think it would just be the pump. Your clutch pulley fan could be at fault also. The reason it runs fine when your driving is because of the air flow. On the car the fan is only really necessary at stops to keep pulling air through the radiator.

JakeMonkey · Apr 22nd, 2004, 06:26 PM

in response to my own radiator question, i think i answered it when i actually thought about it for a bit, and i'm almost completely sure it's because i took off the fan shroud/plastic radiator cover. i didn't think about the ramifications that it might have, and it turns out it's a fairly bad problem
looks like i'm buying some new shrouds, unless someone knows a better fix

JakeMonkey · Apr 22nd, 2004, 06:29 PM

also, what sort of fluid is used in a diff?

JAMESZ · Apr 22nd, 2004, 06:29 PM

Yeah that could be a good reason. The shrouds do serve a purpose. They direct the air and without them you will have issues. You could make custom shrouds.

JAMESZ · Apr 22nd, 2004, 06:30 PM

The will have diff fluid at any car store you go to. Check the manual for what to get specifically.

JakeMonkey · Apr 22nd, 2004, 07:14 PM

alrighty
thanks