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When he did the heads he had the timing belt off and should have replaced the water pump and the timing belt. The other thing is you could have a plugged radiator. I think at this point I would not give him any more money.

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Hi,
I appreciate your answer, first off, once the suv started heating up we noticed the radiator was leaking, or appeared to be, we replace this with a new one, this was obviously not the problem and it blew the heads/gaskets or so we believe to be the beginning of our problem, we took it to a friend who does mechanic work and what we described to him he said it was blown head gaskets, my husband also felt as though this was the problem, we then had the heads gaskets replaced but the suv sat so long in our driveway rust was involved so we had to have the heads machined of course then the valves 4 in all. He showed me the heads after they were done and they looked great, got before and after view of this, once we got it back it was still heating up, found it to be the thermostat, we did ask WHY he would have looked at this, he replied this wasn't what I was paid to do. Replaced the thermostat, got it back and the suv is still heating up. He tells us the water is not circulating so it must be the water pump. He did not replace the water pump nor the timing belt. Before I put more into this suv, in which he has done the job for what I consider a fair price, not over $795.00, all parts included, I wanted to check with someone. The radiator is brand new. We bought it before all this happened. WE think that is what blew the heads. In all with our new radiator, heads, valves, thermostat, what is left? what would cause the water NOT to circulate in the suv?
Thank you for your help it is appreciated.
Joyce McMillan

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The water pump is the only thing left. But goos mechanic should have told you to replace that stuff while the heads were off. It's only a little more and then you know it's all good. One last thing. Check the fan clutch. If that does not move air it will over heat and run hot. So you have to make sure it's working. Get the engine to normal temp. Then with the hood up shut off the engine. If the fan keeps spinning and spinning you need a new fan clutch

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Thank you Richard!
We will check the fan clutch before going forward.
I really do appreciate your help. :)
Joyce

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