coolant sprays everywhere
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,762
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coolant sprays everywhere
I just took my car out for the first time after a cam swap. As I was about to pull into the driveway after a short 10 min drive suddenly I see what I thought was smoke coming from the engine. I kill the engine and jump out to find that I'm losing coolant at either the lower radiator hose or the drain valve. After a minute it quits leaking and I still have some in the surge tank. I did not follow any procedure to refill the coolant after the swap, just filled it to the cold fill mark. Did I overfill the system and that is what caused this? Any help would be great, I'm suppose to have a tune done an hour away thursday and need this thing running ok.
Last edited by MJD; May 9, 2007 at 10:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Over filling would not cause a leak at the lower hose or drain.
You need to find out for sure where the leak is before you drive it very far.
When you say you still have coolant in the tank...how much is left?
Is it still to the full mark?
IF the system overpressures, it should relieve at the cap.
Look for a failed hose, or if the drain valve did not get closed all the way.
You need to find out for sure where the leak is before you drive it very far.
When you say you still have coolant in the tank...how much is left?
Is it still to the full mark?
IF the system overpressures, it should relieve at the cap.
Look for a failed hose, or if the drain valve did not get closed all the way.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; May 9, 2007 at 10:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,762
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There is probably about a 1/2 inch left in the tank. Last I checked it was not leaking (after sitting overnight). I'll double check the valve when I get home.
Last edited by MJD; May 9, 2007 at 10:58 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 517
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From: Arlington Texas
One of the main hoses that goes into the water pump is only supposed to seat half way on the pump flange. After my swap I made the mistake of pushing the hose all the way to the pump body. It didn't leak before I caught the mistake and fixed it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
It probably quit leaking when the pressure was relieved. As pointed out, you need to refill the reservoir, and run it until the system starts to build pressure, then locate the leak.
I would not think the drain valve would fail unless the pin was broken off while trying to open it. It is just a plug with an o-ring. If you need to remove it, turn it about 1/4 turn until the pin on the plug lines up with the slot in the radiator housing. Then you can wiggle the plug and pull it straight out of the radiator. You should be able to get a replacement at the dealer or a local parts store.
I would not think the drain valve would fail unless the pin was broken off while trying to open it. It is just a plug with an o-ring. If you need to remove it, turn it about 1/4 turn until the pin on the plug lines up with the slot in the radiator housing. Then you can wiggle the plug and pull it straight out of the radiator. You should be able to get a replacement at the dealer or a local parts store.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
When you had the front end off, the smaller hose that connects to the throttle body... did you run it under the upper radiator hose or on top of it? If its under, it was laying on the water pump itself and you probably wore right through it. Just one other possibility.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 0
I fixed it. The lower radiator hose was almost completely off. When the pressure was up it pushed it off even further and allowed coolant to pour out. I put it back on and added a band clamp for extra credit since its a pain in the *** to get to. Got the car out tonight and went on a nice little cruise. Tune and alignment are tomorrow. Thanks for the help guys!
