Leaking Coolant when car shuts off

[Bloody Panda]

So I've noticed that my car leaks coolant out of the overflow when I shut it off. I was thinking that this might be a bad rad cap? Could that be the solution?

 

[eligst21]

does the car overhat at all? or get warm? could be a from a stuck thermostat to blown head gasket. more info is needed.

 

[Travisgsx96]

yeah definately need more info could be as simple as you put to much fluid in to bad thermostat

 

[Bloody Panda]

The car does seem to get a little hot but the temp gauge still stays right in the middle.

 

[96' Eclipse GS]

Air in the cooling system, bleed it out, then get back with us.

 

[eligst21]

like stated, try burping the system and see what that does. could be air.

 

[Bloody Panda]

Well I was planning on changing the coolant/flushing the rad but theres no point if im just going to lose some of it.

Also, what are some strong symptoms of a slightly bad head gasket, to the point where I should change it. If that makes sense.

 

[Mullet_GST]

Mine did the same thing, it turned out to be a radiator cap, do the cheapest first, a radiator cap with a safety pressure release is like 11 bucks. i got that solved all my over heating problems

 

[Alan11]

start wit the basic cheap/free fixes.
It can even be the overflow tank itself, Rad cap, thermostat, bleed the system, flush the system,its needed for maintenance so suck it up ..
If it persists then do a leak down test and a compresion test, for the head gasket.

Mine did the exact same thing and it was the thermstat.

 

[obsidian]

Mine did too. Radiator cap. Replaced it and boosting resumed.

 

[Bloody Panda]

I'm going to replace the cap today and test the compression and then go for there. Ill give you updates after I do.

So today I did a compression test and changed the anti freeze/burped the system. For the compression test, from cylinders left to right, it read 150psi 130psi 95psi 130psi. Also, I noticed that the plug in the last cylinder was wet with oil. As far as changing the coolant went, the problem still occurs. Tomorrow I am going to get a new cap, if that doesnt work, then I am going to get a new thermostat. If none of this fixes the problem, what do suggest I try next? A new head gasket?

 

[obsidian]

obviously you can see one of your compression numbers is really low. Maybe a valve/valve seal/headgasket or even rings.

Need to start looking into a rebuild.

 

[95 DSM ROCKET]

Mine is doing the same thing and still trying to figure it out. I've changed the thermostat and did the compression test today and got 170, 175, 170, 165. Starting to think its the hg but don't want to believe it. My car has 217000 miles on it.

 

[Lou98GSX]

you could also have a restriction in the radiator

 

[RacintheReaper]

Not to beat a dead horse but flushing system if the thermostat is good. I had the same issue after replacing my thermostat. It ended up just needing a good flush to get the air out of the system.

 

[Finley95gst]

I'd change the radiator cap and check your thermostat. Also there might be an air pocket.

 

[yukiz]

it is a good time to flush your rad.

 

[Bloody Panda]

I got a new radiator cap yesterday but my car is up on blocks replacing the front cvs. Once I get it on the ground, ill let you know if the problem still occurs.

 

[obsidian]

If your compression numbers are solid and there is no evidence of coolant in the combustion chamber or oil or external leak then your headgasket SHOULD be good.

To the OP. Sounds like you need a rebuild.

To the thread hacker, check your cooling system.

Two things that should be replaced periodically is the radiator cap and the thermostat. When doing a timing belt job then replace the water pump. When doing a system restore use a good system cleaner to remove any corrosion/scale from the system to have a peak performing system.

 

[spadepro22]

OP, did you change the cap?

 

[Bloody Panda]

Sorry I haven't responded in a while, but yes I did change the cap and that fixed the problem. But recentlyy rad cracked but I replaced it and all is well. Thanls for the help guys.

 

[spadepro22]

Where is your temp hand say at? Ive changed my cap, stat, and temp sensor. My hand is half way and doest overheat, but it use to not go that high. I dont know what else to check for. Guess I'll jack your thread since your all fixed up and Im having the exact same problem.

 

[Lou98GSX]

putting a heat shield on your o2 housing and manifold might help.

 

[Abe'sGST]

Where is your temp hand say at? Ive changed my cap, stat, and temp sensor. My hand is half way and doest overheat, but it use to not go that high. I dont know what else to check for. Guess I'll jack your thread since your all fixed up and Im having the exact same problem.

So what is your problem? That the temperature gauge stays in the middle where it should and it didn't do that before?

 

[spadepro22]

So what is your problem? That the temperature gauge stays in the middle where it should and it didn't do that before?

Correct. It never was in the middle, it has always been in the middle before the halfway line if that makes sense. Im thinking there might be a problem since its going to the halfway mark all of a sudden.