randyboy

I've noticed that the AC normally works quite well but it will frequently seem to cut off, especially during idling. Today it happened again and the temp gauge needle was bouncing back and forth between normal and nearly hot. When I came to a stop, I checked under the hood and noticed almost no coolant in the reservoir. I then drove for about ten miles with the AC off and the needle remained where it should be. When I stopped again, to get gas, I looked under the hood again and the coolant level was back up to where it should be. I then drove home with the AC running just fine but when I was parking the car and idling for about a minute, the AC cut off and was blowing warmer outside air. Doesn't seem to make any difference if the switch is on regular AC (using outside air) or Max AC. Any ideas, before I take it to a shop? Thanks again.

On three occasions, it has come on while driving at low speed. Twice the car stopped, with the engine still running, but would proceed just fine when pressing the accelerator. Once, when coming to a stop, the engine went out but everything was fine once I started the ignition again. Today, when driving at a bit higher speeds (45mph to 60mph), there was a kind of wobbling feel, for lack of a better description, and the light came on twice but engine stayed on both times. I had taken it to Advance Auto Parts but the vehicle wasn't throwing any codes. Any ideas? Thanks!

I just bought the vehicle two weeks ago. Runs like a champ otherwise but does this on slightly steeper inclines. It has 129K miles. My previous two vehicles ('96 & '97 Explorers) did not do this at all on the same spots. Thanks!

While waiting for it to engage, there is a lot of white smoke from the exhaust. This goes away entirely once the transmission engages and the car will drive just fine but there is usually an odd "whine" noise when first driving off. Takes longer to engage during colder temps and will engage within a minute or so during warmer temps. Also, will shift into reverse sooner than drive. I'm not very mechanically inclined and not in a good place financially. Does this sound like a major repair or perhaps something less serious? Thanks much.

My '97 Explorer spews out thick white smoke from the exhaust after sitting for a while. The smoke stops after driving a few blocks to about a mile. I took it to the dealer and they determined that the engine is leaking coolant and would need replacement. (Estimated around 6K.) Might there be any much cheaper way to repair this and what about any additives. Would that help or cause further damage? I'm not at all mechanically inclined but I'm in rough shape financially, so I can't buy a replacement vehicle anytime soon. Thanks!