a little help please

[calcifer]

Ok, I just started my car for the first time in over 2 years. I had it running at idle for about 20 minutes while I used a small compressor to fill up the tires. Right as the last tire was finishing the car started running a little rough and I heard a grinding sound, maybe from the passenger side of the engine compartment. Then I noticed a ton of coolant had leaked out. I spent almost no time in the car, but when I was in it, the temp gauge was a little past the middle towards the hot side. I immediately shut the car off. The grinding continued for a short time (a second or less) after the car was off. I have not tried to start it since. What do you think was grinding? Water pump? Or what? Thanks for your help.

 

[SpawnedX]

With a car sitting for two years it could be many things, check the water pump, the radiator fan, anything in the cars cooling system, check for broken or rusted parts, it could be a rubbing noise, you probably have a hole in the coolant hose or maybe the radiator is no good anymore.

 

[calcifer]

Could it be something internal (hoping not)? The car was still running, just a little rougher, almost stalling at some points. Also, it didn't get hot enough to shut the car off, so thats a good sign right?

 

[bobcatnn]

A grinding noise that continued after you shut it off? Was a metal to metal grinding or maybe the sounds of coolant escaping either a hole in the radiator or hoses. That might be your sound, the cause. Hoses sitting awhile could deteriorate and when you try putting hot coolant to them they can come apart. Find out a bit more on where the grinding is coming from, that'll help us figure this out.

 

[calcifer]

I guess it sounded more like stone grinding on plastic, or something like that. I guess it could have been the coolant coming out of the hose (hoping). Can't check it right now, as I am at work. Also after I shut it off there was like a boiling sound coming from all over the engine compartment. I couldn't pinpoint it, it seemed like it was coming from everywhere.

 

[bobcatnn]

Check the reserve tank/overfill tank to see if it's bubbling--that might be your "boiling" sound. Also, check the coolant levels, I'm not sure what you've checked, but after two years without a fire, there's lots of things I'd go over--vacuum lines, fuel lines, radiator hoses, heater hose, wiring, just go through everything and make sure no rats have eaten holes or whatever. Then check all your fluid levels. You might want to pull the thermostat and throw it in some boiling water to see if it is sticking shut--could be your overheating issue.