2002 Astro had coolant leak, now has runaway idle
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 9
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2002 Astro had coolant leak, now has runaway idle
Hello all,
Maybe someone can offer some suggestions to my situation. I have a 2002 Astro cargo at 187k miles. Within the last 5 months it seems EVERYTHING has gone south: catalytic converter, water pump, clutch fan, transmission was rebuilt and most recently a coolant leak developed above the oil pan. I had the intake manifold gaskets, etc. replaced (along with the temp sensor) and now the idle takes off like it's doing 40-50 mph after 5 or 10 seconds. My mechanic (who is usually on top of everything) is at a loss and is ready to take it apart again. He's pretty sure there's a vacuum leak somewhere behind the water pump. When the engine is started the idle takes off and the hose beneath the air intake collapses in on itself. Maybe the gasket didn't seat correctly or worse case a blown head gasket, but we're at a loss.
I've got a lot of money tied up in it at this point and I can't just walk away. I know these engines can last a long time and I think (I hope) I just hit the sour spot on the mileage wear and tear. Any thoughts?
Maybe someone can offer some suggestions to my situation. I have a 2002 Astro cargo at 187k miles. Within the last 5 months it seems EVERYTHING has gone south: catalytic converter, water pump, clutch fan, transmission was rebuilt and most recently a coolant leak developed above the oil pan. I had the intake manifold gaskets, etc. replaced (along with the temp sensor) and now the idle takes off like it's doing 40-50 mph after 5 or 10 seconds. My mechanic (who is usually on top of everything) is at a loss and is ready to take it apart again. He's pretty sure there's a vacuum leak somewhere behind the water pump. When the engine is started the idle takes off and the hose beneath the air intake collapses in on itself. Maybe the gasket didn't seat correctly or worse case a blown head gasket, but we're at a loss.
I've got a lot of money tied up in it at this point and I can't just walk away. I know these engines can last a long time and I think (I hope) I just hit the sour spot on the mileage wear and tear. Any thoughts?
CF Monarch
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,605
Likes: 269
From: USA
Hello all,
Maybe someone can offer some suggestions to my situation. I have a 2002 Astro cargo at 187k miles. Within the last 5 months it seems EVERYTHING has gone south: catalytic converter, water pump, clutch fan, transmission was rebuilt and most recently a coolant leak developed above the oil pan. I had the intake manifold gaskets, etc. replaced (along with the temp sensor) and now the idle takes off like it's doing 40-50 mph after 5 or 10 seconds. My mechanic (who is usually on top of everything) is at a loss and is ready to take it apart again. He's pretty sure there's a vacuum leak somewhere behind the water pump. When the engine is started the idle takes off and the hose beneath the air intake collapses in on itself. Maybe the gasket didn't seat correctly or worse case a blown head gasket, but we're at a loss.
I've got a lot of money tied up in it at this point and I can't just walk away. I know these engines can last a long time and I think (I hope) I just hit the sour spot on the mileage wear and tear. Any thoughts?
Maybe someone can offer some suggestions to my situation. I have a 2002 Astro cargo at 187k miles. Within the last 5 months it seems EVERYTHING has gone south: catalytic converter, water pump, clutch fan, transmission was rebuilt and most recently a coolant leak developed above the oil pan. I had the intake manifold gaskets, etc. replaced (along with the temp sensor) and now the idle takes off like it's doing 40-50 mph after 5 or 10 seconds. My mechanic (who is usually on top of everything) is at a loss and is ready to take it apart again. He's pretty sure there's a vacuum leak somewhere behind the water pump. When the engine is started the idle takes off and the hose beneath the air intake collapses in on itself. Maybe the gasket didn't seat correctly or worse case a blown head gasket, but we're at a loss.
I've got a lot of money tied up in it at this point and I can't just walk away. I know these engines can last a long time and I think (I hope) I just hit the sour spot on the mileage wear and tear. Any thoughts?
Hell most motors made in the day couldn't make it to 150k would a rebuild; the carbs washed all the oil off the cylinder walls.
Last edited by oilcanhenry; Jul 13, 2019 at 8:57 AM.
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Well then that would just suck. 
I dropped at least $2.5k in it over the last 4-5 months and will likely owe another $1-1.5k for the work the mechanic has done trying to resolve this issue. Makes me sick to think about all that money being spent with nothing to show for it. Hopefully I'll find out more the first part of this coming week. Crap.
I dropped at least $2.5k in it over the last 4-5 months and will likely owe another $1-1.5k for the work the mechanic has done trying to resolve this issue. Makes me sick to think about all that money being spent with nothing to show for it. Hopefully I'll find out more the first part of this coming week. Crap.
