Major coolant system leak.

alerogls001 · 08-17-2010, 07:51 PM

I hope someone can help with this. This is my situation- This car has to last me a couple weeks longer. I have been having all kind of leaking problems. For example the last episode: Friday, go to get transfer of title and notice a major leak from the excess hose that is right by the cap. I was prepared for this and took my trusty gallon of water and filled it up. Saturday I go and trade the reservoir for a new one. (Keeping in mind that something else is really the source problem, just trying to make it last til I get rid of it). I put it on and on Monday topped it off after running the car because I figure it wasnt really topped off when I replaced it. (I didnt run it and top it off at that point). And now, one day later my car is over heating. I look under the hood and there is a lot of air noise being released in and around the reservoir. I cant tell exactly where from though and there is def signs of coolant all over that side. But of course no current leak to tell exactly where from. What is the most likely culprit? I have thought of thermostat, like if it were getting stuck, maybe causing pressure that would make it do this. Previous incidents included the leaking of the reservoir around the seam at about the halfway mark on the bottle. I have also thought water pump but I doubt it. Ideas please? I am not at a location that is easy to look at the car. Thanks.

alerogls001 · 08-17-2010, 09:51 PM

I just took vid if anyone needs to see it but I dont see how it will help. It is leaking from the center side of the reservoir and from the bottom of the reservoir. Guess the only question is what is causing so much pressure...

Monza · 08-17-2010, 10:35 PM

Head gasket?

Ttop191 · 08-17-2010, 10:49 PM

Yeah I was guessing head gasket too... are you burning coolant? (white smoke)

Redog · 08-18-2010, 03:22 AM

Def a HG! That's what happened to my car, but at least my coolant wouldn't push out that quick, only when I got on it

alerogls001 · 08-18-2010, 08:53 AM

Omg. Well thats not what I wanted to hear lol. Crap. Theres no way I can deal with that at this point.... But no, no white smoke.
Is it worth me trying the thermostat??

zzyzzx · 08-18-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alerogls001

Is it worth me trying the thermostat??

If you want you can remove the thermostat and test it.

alerogls001 · 08-18-2010, 09:08 AM

I guess its better than nothing. I found a thread on upper and lower intake manifold gasket replacement but not head gasket. Is HG completely different? Easier maybe. I had the LIM replaced like a year and a half ago...

wrestlingandrunning · 08-18-2010, 11:44 AM

Not to bad just take your time, it's one step further than limg. I believe complete head gasket set with metal limg is around ~200ish. I'd also send the heads to a machine shop to make sure they aren't warped, and take an air gun to the block to blow out the excess coolant that could have gotten somewhere it shouldn't be.

alerogls001 · 08-18-2010, 03:22 PM

Well, thanks for all the info and opinions. Helped me to decide to look at other options. I have found a loaner my sister has til I can get the new car. Just not worth putting anything else into this for such a short period of time. I'll be selling parts off of this car though... I'll start listing shortly.

Redog · 08-18-2010, 03:32 PM

Put some of that coolant sealing crap in there is your going to get rid of the car

alerogls001 · 08-18-2010, 04:48 PM

It just needs to make it to the dealership- its going to a junkyard.

Im gonna miss the hell out of this car.

zzyzzx · 08-19-2010, 09:13 AM

OK, so we will be seeing you parting it out in the For Sale section?