Leaking Coolant..and Freezing hoses
02-05-2009, 07:01 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Greensboro,NC
Posts: 198
Leaking Coolant..and Freezing hoses
Today at about 12pm the car starts no problem..and operates well in the 30
degree weather..about 3.25 miles heard a high whining noise and saw my
temp guage way above hot.. pulled over and poped hood..and coolant
sprayed from cap..lower radiator hose was frozen...and also 5 min after
stoping..the car began to leak more like pour from between ac and oil pan
(water pump weephole area) i just replaced the water pump and there is a
50/50 mix in the block but the car shouldnt freeze even with a 50/50 mix the
coolant shouldnt freeze in 20 degree overnight temps.
what do you guys think...?
degree weather..about 3.25 miles heard a high whining noise and saw my
temp guage way above hot.. pulled over and poped hood..and coolant
sprayed from cap..lower radiator hose was frozen...and also 5 min after
stoping..the car began to leak more like pour from between ac and oil pan
(water pump weephole area) i just replaced the water pump and there is a
50/50 mix in the block but the car shouldnt freeze even with a 50/50 mix the
coolant shouldnt freeze in 20 degree overnight temps.
what do you guys think...?
02-06-2009, 07:48 AM
#3
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
30 deg. temps isn't enough to make even a very weak coolant mix freeze.
At 50/50, your good to about -20 or more.
Something else failed.
Check the t-stat
When did you replace the WP?
Did you bleed the system correctly?
At 50/50, your good to about -20 or more.
Something else failed.
Check the t-stat
When did you replace the WP?
Did you bleed the system correctly?
02-06-2009, 05:54 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Greensboro,NC
Posts: 198
replaced wp in oct of 08
and bleed the entire system from rad and also from rear of motor..i did the radi flush in the 4th gen how to's
02-07-2009, 12:52 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
If your coolant was frozen solid in your lower hose, you didn't have a 50/50 mix or it was actually much, much colder out during the night. Like njmaxseltd said, 50/50 is good to minus 20*F or so.
Until you clarified that the lower hose was actually frozen solid, I would agree with njmaxseltd about other things like thermostat, WP, air in system.
With a frozen lower hose, you may have more areas leaking than you initially think. That type of pressure will exploit any weak spots in the system. I'm assuming coolant has sprayed pretty much everywhere under the hood. After your repairs, I would use an engine cleaner/degreaser to clean everywhere under the hood. Then you can more easily detect any other smaller leaks that may not have been found initially. Coolant doesn't dry like water, and can hang around for a while. Without cleaning first, you'd be hard pressed to actually pinpoint other leaks.
When you said "and coolant sprayed from cap..", which cap are you talking about? Was it the overflow bottle, or were you opening the radiator cap?
I think you'll need to get in the WP area to do your repairs. I'd do the thermostat, too, if you can swing the small additional cost (even only as a preventative). Coolant hoses should be inspected very well, including the insides (and feel for "softness" or very pliable spots). If possible, I'd be inclined to replace them. The pressure they saw can weaken them with no external signs. I've seen quite a few cars that have overheated get fixed only to blow a weakened hose a little while later.
Dave
Until you clarified that the lower hose was actually frozen solid, I would agree with njmaxseltd about other things like thermostat, WP, air in system.
With a frozen lower hose, you may have more areas leaking than you initially think. That type of pressure will exploit any weak spots in the system. I'm assuming coolant has sprayed pretty much everywhere under the hood. After your repairs, I would use an engine cleaner/degreaser to clean everywhere under the hood. Then you can more easily detect any other smaller leaks that may not have been found initially. Coolant doesn't dry like water, and can hang around for a while. Without cleaning first, you'd be hard pressed to actually pinpoint other leaks.
When you said "and coolant sprayed from cap..", which cap are you talking about? Was it the overflow bottle, or were you opening the radiator cap?
I think you'll need to get in the WP area to do your repairs. I'd do the thermostat, too, if you can swing the small additional cost (even only as a preventative). Coolant hoses should be inspected very well, including the insides (and feel for "softness" or very pliable spots). If possible, I'd be inclined to replace them. The pressure they saw can weaken them with no external signs. I've seen quite a few cars that have overheated get fixed only to blow a weakened hose a little while later.
Dave
01-07-2014, 11:50 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Ok I have a very similar problem with my 98' 'Max. This morning was probably the coldest day in a few years here in south jersey. I replaced my radiator on my 98' Max over a year ago. I have not had any issues with the cooling system since. The needle stays just below the midway point all the time.
This morning I drove to work and after about 3 miles I was over heating bad. I pulled over and unscrewed the cap. It blew up high like a volcano. I let I t cool down, put some water in it, and drove it home. It started to get hot again just as I was pulling in the garage. It HAS to be the cold weather. I leave my car outside but I just brought it in the garage (gf uses the garage for her car.)
The cold weather HAS to be the culprit (way too coincidental) but what should I do to fix it? Let it defrost and make sure I have a higher mixture?
I'm not very good with cars but I will do whatever I need to.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
This morning I drove to work and after about 3 miles I was over heating bad. I pulled over and unscrewed the cap. It blew up high like a volcano. I let I t cool down, put some water in it, and drove it home. It started to get hot again just as I was pulling in the garage. It HAS to be the cold weather. I leave my car outside but I just brought it in the garage (gf uses the garage for her car.)
The cold weather HAS to be the culprit (way too coincidental) but what should I do to fix it? Let it defrost and make sure I have a higher mixture?
I'm not very good with cars but I will do whatever I need to.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
01-07-2014, 12:26 PM
#11
How certain are you that you had the proper antifreeze mixture in the cooling system? What you described sounds like a blocked radiator, in this case blocked by frozen water.
When you took the radiator cap off (a foolish thing to do on an over-heating engine), it did exactly as expected. Don't do that again.
When you took the radiator cap off (a foolish thing to do on an over-heating engine), it did exactly as expected. Don't do that again.
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