Coolant all over the top?

[Cody Dufrene]

So today I got back from work and popped the hood cause I saw some smoke. Turns out there was coolant all over the place. I checked the levels and they were good still, I don't see any visible leaks. And when I tuned it on later I still didn't see any leaks. What could have caused the coolant to be all over my engine and wheel wells?

 

[LeBaron1973]

Maybe a head gasket leak? Probably hard to detect at idle, but as you're driving, naturally the coolant heats up and turns to steam (I think that's right, those who know better will comment) and it could/would escape through the damaged gasket and condense on the cooler surfaces inside the engine compartment. Is the water pump leaking?

 

[Davea Lux]

Also check the radiator cap. If the overflow hose is missing, it can spew coolant everywhere.

Dave

 

[Cody Dufrene]

Also check the radiator cap. If the overflow hose is missing, it can spew coolant everywhere.

Dave

I checked it out the cap was good but the overflow hose was really REALLY loose. But it wasn't wet and was still connected

 

[detmatt]

I had a pinhole leak in my top tank that sprayed towards the engine and I could barely see the stream.

 

[Cody Dufrene]

Maybe a head gasket leak? Probably hard to detect at idle, but as you're driving, naturally the coolant heats up and turns to steam (I think that's right, those who know better will comment) and it could/would escape through the damaged gasket and condense on the cooler surfaces inside the engine compartment. Is the water pump leaking?

I don't believe so. If it is I don't see any leaks anywhere. I'll take a better look tomorrow during the day for sure

 

[Cody Dufrene]

I had a pinhole leak in my top tank that sprayed towards the engine and I could barely see the stream.

I'll give it a look tomorrow when I have better light

 

[LeBaron1973]

Ok, good luck.

 

[Davea Lux]

If the cap is ok, you probably have a small leak at the water pump or one of the hoses, the air from the fan will blow coolant all around the engine compartment.
If you can not find an external leak, go down to you local auto parts and rent/borrow a cooling system hydrocarbon tester. There are two types, one attaches in place of the radiator cap and tests for the presence of hydrocarbons in the cooling system, the other type uses a few drops of you coolant and tests it for dissolved hydrocarbons in the coolant. Either type if it tests positive is indicative for a bad head gasket or cracked head. As mentioned above, could also be a small hole in the radiator tank or core. If you have access to a cooling system pressure tester (Some auto parts rent them) check for a quick pressure drop that occurs shortly after the engine is shut off, that would suggest a leak someplace.

Dave

 

[Cody Dufrene]

If the cap is ok, you probably have a small leak at the water pump or one of the hoses, the air from the fan will blow coolant all around the engine compartment.
If you can not find an external leak, go down to you local auto parts and rent/borrow a cooling system hydrocarbon tester. There are two types, one attaches in place of the radiator cap and tests for the presence of hydrocarbons in the cooling system, the other type uses a few drops of you coolant and tests it for dissolved hydrocarbons in the coolant. Either type if it tests positive is indicative for a bad head gasket or cracked head.

Dave

That's awesome! Thanks man will do

 

[Davea Lux]

Also check the inside of your water pump pulley, if the pump is leaking, it will usually leave a wet spot at the bottom of the pulley with the engine off.

Dave

 

[70NEWYORKER]

Water valve (Heater Control Valve) can make a heck of a mess too. Mine just let loose at the end of the season...Old Faithful,only green and foaming.

 

[CBODY67]

Might be good to rinse it off good at a car wash, drip dry, and then check for the leak with the engine idling first. Look to see where the coolant ended up, then trace where it might have come from, toward the front of the car. Look for where the coolant isn't, too. Keep us posted.

CBODY67

 

[Cody Dufrene]

Will do. Im omw home from work now. But I gotta take a look tomorrow. It's raining bad here haha