On my way home from work the low coolant showed up on the DIC. So when I got home I left the car running got the anti freeze and then removed the tank cap. A few second later the fluid rushed out of the tank all over the floor. Now old school you always left the car running. Does this car have a different proceedure or do we think there is a clog somewhere. Never an over heat issue. Normal characteristic.

 

Interesting question

Have to say I've never taken the cap off a cooling system that was hot or under pressure on any of my cars. That's just what I'd expect to happen.

 

Joe,

The cooling system is fully pressurized and you should only remove the cap when the car engine is almost cool to the touch. Otherwise the engine being at street driven temperature will spew pressurized coolant out of the coolant tank. You can squeeze the upper radiator hose to check and see if there is still pressure in the system, and therefore safe to remove the radiator/coolant tank cap. Then you may add coolant, I would also say that you can start an already cooled off engine and add coolant for a short while until it heats up and starts to build pressure.

 

Thanks guys. Things sound normal then. I will fill up the tank in the morning. How do you know it's full if the fluid is not circulating though?

 

I would add the coolant to the coolant surge tank while the car is off. Add coolant until it reaches the "Full Cold Mark" on the surge tank. Start the car leaving the coolant cap off, let it run until you feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. The coolant level in the surge tank might be lower after the hose gets hot, if so add more coolant up to the full cold mark once again. Then just put the cap back on and your done.

 

Here you go

Chuck

The procedure follows:


Draining and Filling Cooling System

Caution
With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

Important
If the procedure below is not followed a low or high coolant level condition and/or vehicle damage could result.


1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2) Remove the surge tank cap:
3) Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
4) Place a drain pan under the drain plug.
5) Open the radiator drain plug .
6) Allow the cooling system to drain completely.
7) Inspect the engine coolant for the following:
Discolored -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.

Notice
When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.

Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


8) Close the radiator drain plug. Tighten.
Tighten the radiator drain plug to 2 N•m (18 lb in).

9) Fill the cooling system through the surge tank.
10) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® coolant and deionized water.
11) Start the engine.
12) Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute.
13) Install surge tank cap.
14) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
15)Shut off the engine.
16) Remove the surge tank cap.
17) Start the engine.
18) Allow the engine to Idle for 1 minute. Fill the surge tank to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above the COLD FULL mark on the surge tank.
19) Install the surge tank cap.
20) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
21) Shut off the engine.
22) Remove the surge tank cap.
23) Top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
24) Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.
25) Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant.
26) Install the surge tank cap.

 

Now that's what I call detailed. Thanks.