HELP! Truck question

[jaydee]

I'll be the first to say, that I don't know a whole lot about cars, or trucks. I'm 17, want to be a computer engineer, not a mechanic, just give me something that will take me from point A to point B safely. On to the story.

Ok, I'm driving home and I see a guy my dad is friends with (an older gentlemen, 70's, I don't know him that well myself) his '98 GMC Sonoma is broken down side of the road, because there was a lot of steam coming from the engine. I stop and see what I can do (again not much, as I know very little about automobiles). The 'engine coolant' is VERY low, and he tries putting water to fill it back up (it's his truck, and he probably knows more than I do right?). Also puts water in the radiator. It runs a little better immediatly but he only took it about 1/4 a mile to my house. Can anyone tell me how far this truck is going to go in this condition. He happens to still be in my driveway trying to figure out what to do, where to go. SHould he stay here until someone more knowledgable comes along, or can he drive to a shop or something? What do you think? THanks in advance

 

[amnesiac]

jeez, well first off tell the old fart to TAKE CARE OF HIS TRUCK. New trucks like that shouldn't be having steam jet out of them unless they're in total disrepair.

Can't he call a tow truck or something? Does he have AAA?

Anyway he should be able to make it at least a few miles. Tell him to blast the heater to siphon heat from the engine.. coast as much as possible.

Any gas station should be able to replace the fluids, actually.

*edit*

Oh yeah tell him to get a Toyota next time. Those GMC trucks are nothing but trouble. I speak from experience.

 

[Soulbane]

Well, assmuning that it is not leaking a ton, I would think he could drive it a few more miles after it is topped off with water. In other words, drive it directly to a mechanic that is close to where he is now. Do not press the distance or he'll have a major repair bill.

If it's a major leak or he's hesitant at all to drive it, call a tow truck.

See if the dude has AAA.

 

[jaydee]

I just found it, it is second hand, has 120,000 miles on it already and he has owned it for a month. He decided to leave it here, and get picked up/towed,/driven home some other time.

Is there anything more I can do at this point?

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Antifreeze works both ways, it helps cool as well as keeps the water from freezing. Running it with just water would be fine for a while but he should get antifreeze eventually. As for why it was overheating/steaming in the first place, well, he should take it to a mechanic for that. As long as it's running smoothly and is not overheating, I'd say have him drive it to the nearest mechanic to have it checked out. If he has a leak somewhere, but it's small, he should be fine just driving it as long as he keeps the fluid filled (of course he should get it fixed). Running it to the point where there's no coolent is obviously bad. If coolent is leaking into the heads, that's bad.

 

[jaydee]

Thanks ThisIsMatt, just what I wanted to know.