Coolant exploded all over engine bay

[AlphaAssault]

I was driving home from work tonight, and I gun it from about 20mph to get ahead of some traffic. Immediatly after I slow down, I begin to smell something like burt syrup. Oh hell, coolant I think to myself. I drove another mile to my apartment, carefully watching my temp gauge. I got home and turned my car off (the engine was still running fine, i might add), as steam began coming from under the hood. For the record, the temp gauge was at the 3/4th mark by now. I pop the hood and theres coolant EVERYWHERE. Mainly, its on the battery, IC pipes, and intake manifold, as well as on the underside of the hood. Because it was dark, I couldnt pinpoint the location of the problem. Questions:

What happened? Im thinking a coolent line went; is this a valid possibility? If so, what size is this line, and where exactly is it located so I can replace it?

What would cause this?

What are the odds that I did something to my engine because of leaking coolant?

 

[ob420aboosted]

i dont think your motor is hurt from that. i drove my car home 5 miles with the temp gauge threw the roof and it still runs the same

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

It could be anything. Could be the thermostat housing, fiav, water pump, upper coolant hose, lower coolant line, radiator cap. Who knows. Check it in the morning.

Good Luck.

James

 

[nfernotalon]

What side of the engine? Theres your heater hoses in the back, main coolant hoses in front and lines on side.

 

[absolute_DSM]

Those heater core hoses like to explode. They just get old.

Dont be lazy, get a flashlight and go find out. Then you will be able to solve all of the questions youre asking.

Were not your e-mechanics.

 

[khartley]

Yeah, when my water pump went out, I had to haul ass about 3 miles to get home. It got almost to redline, and it didn't hurt anything, but it's something I would definitely avoid at all costs.

Start your car tomorrow and look for leaks, you should find the source pretty quickly.

 

[AlphaAssault]

What side of the engine? Theres your heater hoses in the back, main coolant hoses in front and lines on side.

The puddle under the car is located towards the rear od the engine bay, on the passenger side; kinda under the battery if I had to make a guess.

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

Could be the fiav.

James

 

[nfernotalon]

Most likely heater hoses but youre never sure til you check it out. Just wait til tomorrow thats what id do , when my car breaks it pisses me off and I park it and leave it

 

[r6speed]

I must agree with the idea of not being lazy...get a damn flashlight or you will be thinking about it all night!

 

[xdxoxuxgx]

Well if its on the battery, intake manifold and intercooler pipes I'm assuming it's on the passenger side of the engine bay so check the thermostat housing and any coolant hoses/pipes on that side, or anything unconnected in general.

 

[AlphaAssault]

next question: i was under the impression that the pressure in the coolant lines was constant. does/would revving the engine increase the pressure of the coolant? why or why not?

 

[snowborder714]

I would say to take a look at the heater core hoses (run from thermostat housing to the firewall - there's 2 of them) or the FIAV hoses (run to bottom of throttle body - there's 2 of them). Look very closely as it may not be totally obvious as to what happened.

Then make sure you clean the area up good as where the coolant was will be sticky.

 

[tqmx1]

With coolant hoses, If one goes the others will not be far behind. Change one, change them all. Cheep in the long run.

 

[AlphaAssault]

does anyone have an exploded view of the back of the engine? I cant seel well enough which lines go where. If I can find them in the exploded view, im betting i can find them in the engine.

 

[nfernotalon]

Take your battery out youll have more room

 

[snowborder714]

And your upper intercooler pipe.

 

[AlphaAssault]

Can someone give me the specs (diameter and length) of the coolant lines for the heater as well as the coolant lines for the intake manifold. Am I correct in thinking that there are 3 hoses to replace, total (Thermostat to intake manifold, one hose from thermostat to heater, then another hose from the heater back to the engine)? I think Im going to go to a store and just replace everything back there, to ensure this doesnt happen again.

 

[nfernotalon]

Damn I forgot how big mine were but make sure you get the correct exact size, I got em just a bit too big and one leaked.

 

[meliketoball]

Check your heater hoses and the heater hoses on the throttle body. I bet its around over there and if that happens again, turn on your heater to vent the heat and prevent overheating the motor.

 

[TunaTalon]

All of the rubber parts in your car are 18 years old, expect them to be cracked and weak.

The good news is that OE radiator hoses and heater hoses are cheap and easy to replace. The Larson Hose Kit from RRE is very reasonable and all of the vacuum hoses can be replaced one hose at a time.

The rubber insert in your crank pulley is probably equally old and cracked, but not so cheap or easy to replace.

 

[AlphaAssault]

Found the broken hose. the split is about 2 inches long on the heater hose running from the thermostat housing to the firewall. How do I get the hose out from the firewall? I loosened the clamp, but still it resists. Should I just tug on it till it comes out?

 

[tqmx1]

Found the broken hose. the split is about 2 inches long on the heater hose running from the thermostat housing to the firewall. How do I get the hose out from the firewall? I loosened the clamp, but still it resists. Should I just tug on it till it comes out?

Use a sharp knife cut up the length of the hose until you are clear of the fitting. Then peel the hose back off the fitting and do it twice the second one (unless it's been changed) is not any better than the first. Also when you are in there change the two hoses to the FIAV.

 

[nfernotalon]

You have to manhandle it, it takes a lot cussing and bloody knuckles, use pliers to yank on it and change the rest of the hoses theyre in the same shape.

 

[Laysher91]

slit the hose like was mentioned. It is a metal nipple underneath so dont be shy and get a pair of pliers and twist and pull it off. I got my replacements from Sturdevants, together it was about $40. When my heater hose blew, I replaced every coolant line on the engine; i think the rest (that arent molded lines) were 3/8" ID. Make sure to replace other hoses while you have the coolant drained to prevent this problem from happening again. I think you are supposed to replace all rubber hoses every 4-5 years, and you are more than likely on year 18...I think its about time. Good luck!