Coolant overflowing, but not overheating
#1
Coolant overflowing, but not overheating
My buddy's '96 TA loses coolant when it's parked. The temp gauge seems to work just fine, and it idles about 200 degrees, so it's not overheating. The coolant is coming out of the top of the fill/overflow neck. The only time I've seen this is when the car is overheating. The coolant is not overfilled. We havent got a chance to flush the coolant system, check thermostat, ect. but just wondering if there something specific we should be looking for before we dig in this weekend.
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#12
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I know this is an old thread but I wanted to see if someone could explain why mixing up the overflow and steam lines cause the coolant to blow out the overfill?
I just had this happen to me and found this thread doing some searches. I put them back where they belong but I'd still like to understand the problem. Thanks!
I just had this happen to me and found this thread doing some searches. I put them back where they belong but I'd still like to understand the problem. Thanks!
#13
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I know this is an old thread but I wanted to see if someone could explain why mixing up the overflow and steam lines cause the coolant to blow out the overfill?
I just had this happen to me and found this thread doing some searches. I put them back where they belong but I'd still like to understand the problem. Thanks!
I just had this happen to me and found this thread doing some searches. I put them back where they belong but I'd still like to understand the problem. Thanks!
The radiator cap is designed to release fluid (or pressure) once it reaches a certain amount. If those two lines are swapped, then the reservoir would be getting the expansion of the cooling system which would allow it to over flow. The steam line wouldn't have anywhere for the fluid to go (the radiator cap is a check valve of sorts). The poor flow at the back of the heads, that the steam line is there for, would result is steam build up in that location. That steam build up will expand in the system even more and cause more overflow.
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Not to bring back a somewhat old thread but I have also started having this problem as well. I logged my coolant temp at right around 180 parked my car and went inside. When I came out there was a puddle of coolant underneath my car. Im going to shoot for a new radiator cap this afternoon. I have a throttle body bypass and I know my Steam Line and overflow are not swapped because I checked them just to make sure. Ill report back if the new cap fixes it...fingers crossed
Ty McBride
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McBride Motorsports
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EDIT: Just wanted to let everyone know I am going to pressure test my system tomorrow should the cap not work. Cap looks beat up, so I was going to replace it any ways. Ill post an update
EDIT2: Radiator Cap seemed to fix the issue so far.
Ty McBride
Team Leader/Owner
McBride Motorsports
https://www.gofundme.com/vk5peys8
EDIT: Just wanted to let everyone know I am going to pressure test my system tomorrow should the cap not work. Cap looks beat up, so I was going to replace it any ways. Ill post an update
EDIT2: Radiator Cap seemed to fix the issue so far.
Last edited by ninjai_ruken; 10-09-2015 at 08:02 PM.
#16
Here are some additional tips to help prevent coolant overflow:
- Check the coolant level regularly and add coolant as needed.
- Replace the radiator cap every 5 years or 100,000 miles.
- Replace the thermostat every 5 years or 100,000 miles.
- Replace the water pump every 10 years or 100,000 miles.
- Have the radiator flushed and cleaned every 2 years or 20,000 miles.
- Inspect the hoses for leaks every time you change the oil.