Thread: Need some serious help before i damage my car.

I stated previously that i was going to check the pressure of the hose from the radiator to the engine on my LUNCH break today. I am a very busy person at my job, so i was only able to take 30 minutes today at around 2:30 P.M. Pacific time. I Turned over the key with the hood up, and immediately checked the hose and it felt like it did when the car was off. I let it run for another 10 minutes (while eating my lunch in the car) with the t-stat going about 3/4 the way up and the hose felt rock hard.
As far as the compression test goes, all i have is a wrench and a screwdriver. I'm a 21 year old with very little experience doing anything other than basic maintenance for this car.
So, there is my result for the radiator hose stiffness.

Secondly, after i am off work today i will be recording a video of the tailpipes as suggested to see if there is any white smoke.
Also something very weird happened yesterday. I was in idle leaving work and i decided to rev the engine to see if i could see any smoke from the tailpipes from the drivers seat and the car would only let me rev up to 4,000 RPM's and then Cut off, (car did not turn off but it won't let me rev higher than 4,000) What is this?

Originally Posted by Shawn Rollick

the car would only let me rev up to 4,000 RPM's and then Cut off, (car did not turn off but it won't let me rev higher than 4,000) What is this?

while in neutral or park, you are hitting the rev limiter.

Originally Posted by ScottyDoggs

being you own "a" wrench and "a" screw driver and little to no knowledge about cars. this would be a good idea.

Would you like a video of the tailpipes?

I don't mean to sound ignorant but my intentions were to learn where these things are and what to do with them with this thread. That is originally why i posted in the first place. The forum title says "noob"

I will be uploading a video of tail pipes, and what the fans are doing when the car is at least at operating temp or higher

Originally Posted by J57ltr

buy a Chilton as the Haynes manual is worthless as tits on a boar hog.

Jeff

Look for a chilton 2006 grand prix manual?

Originally Posted by idrivejunk

Thats right. Those $25 manuals at the parts store have "fail-proof" instructions suitable for beginners, and explanations of fundamentals behind them for greater understanding. Shawn, it would be in your best interest to purchase one of these for a ready-anytime reference as you learn your way around this car.

Thank you, i will be looking on amazon today for one. Is there a particular one manual i should look for?

Originally Posted by EHB

Thank you. This is what i needed