a mysterious vapor from the engine...

[dansan1988]

So I was off to work today in the mid-day heat of Phoenix and my car started getting really hot well, I pulled over on the freeway and let it sit for a while, I did notice though that it was emitting a vapor from the waterpump area and looked as though it was flinging some coolant in that general area. Well I did see it splashing so I am going to assume coolant. I drove it home, stopping frequently to let it cool of course. Well I added coolant to it, the fan did kick on eventually when I was messing with it, but not when I was on the freeway looking around the bay for a leak... Could that be a stuck thermostat? When I left school and was on the off ramp by my place I could smell burning coolant as well...

Please help me

 

[eclipse96dsm]

Hi there sounds like to me that your water pump might be shot. Does your radiator hoses get hard after a good 20 minutes of car being on? Also if it was splashing coolant on water pump side it really doesn't have to do anything with thermostat. just to let you know by the way if hoses stiffen after 20 minutes then your pump is fine. If not your pump is shot also look closely under the timing belt cover on the floor as car is on. make sure to see if water comes from the cover or very close to it. sorry for the mispelling kinda bad at gramar.

 

[dansan1988]

well the hoses get soft when hot... as for the thermostat, the reason I say that is because when on the freeway the fan did not turn on, yet at my apartment it did. the pump is what I am guessing is shot, I did not see any liquid coming from the lower timing cover though.. just the vapor and it splashing the liquid.

 

[Project_Mayhem@]

Im having the same issue in my 2nd gen car runs fine in the city, as soon as i hit the high way temp rises. I just replace the water pump 2 days ago still does the same thing. What kind of fp manifold are you running internal waste gate or external? Just for reference I'm on a 14b, 450cc's, and a front mount. I changed everything from radiator cap to thermostat, and water pump and it still doing it. I going to try wrapping the exhaust manifold, and putting in slim fans, and possibly an evo style carbon fiber hood to dispel some of the heat. Just some suggestions (dont have to do the hood just what im going to try)

 

[DSMTyson]

well the hoses get soft when hot... as for the thermostat, the reason I say that is because when on the freeway the fan did not turn on, yet at my apartment it did. the pump is what I am guessing is shot, I did not see any liquid coming from the lower timing cover though.. just the vapor and it splashing the liquid.

Sounds like your water pump is shot. As for the fan, I was having issues with mine, so I just wired it straight to the battery with a toggle switch under the dash mounted out of the way. You may want to try that.

 

[eclipse96dsm]

Im having the same issue in my 2nd gen car runs fine in the city, as soon as i hit the high way temp rises. I just replace the water pump 2 days ago still does the same thing. What kind of fp manifold are you running internal waste gate or external? Just for reference I'm on a 14b, 450cc's, and a front mount. I changed everything from radiator cap to thermostat, and water pump and it still doing it. I going to try wrapping the exhaust manifold, and putting in slim fans, and possibly an evo style carbon fiber hood to dispel some of the heat. Just some suggestions (dont have to do the hood just what im going to try)

OK my friend i know what your problem is it your front mount inter cooler not letting enough air get throw to your radiator.My buddy has a AWD tsi and has the same problem best solution is get your factory fans connected direct. or get some slims fans use a good coolant treat like royal purple a special product that keeps water temperature really low. and that should get your problem fixed my friend.
Good Luck

well the hoses get soft when hot... as for the thermostat, the reason I say that is because when on the freeway the fan did not turn on, yet at my apartment it did. the pump is what I am guessing is shot, I did not see any liquid coming from the lower timing cover though.. just the vapor and it splashing the liquid.

Well there's your answer my friend just put new water pump.While your at it if you want change your timing belt and tesioner and all seals. (and balance shaft belt).
Good Luck keep us updated

 

[Project_Mayhem@]

Thanks buddy

 

[eclipse96dsm]

Thanks buddy

any time.

 

[DSM1G90]

Has anyone of you members here ever though of giving your cooling system a total pressure flush out?

Taking the radiator off, blowing out all of the crud that sits in the bottom of the radiator and blowing out the water channels in the radiator itself with pressurized water?

While you have that radiator off, blowing out the block with the same pressure water and watch the rust come out?

I went through the same, even though my pump was new. Replaced the cap, new T-stat, took off the radiator and flushed the total crap out of it along with the block, put everything back together and it now, it doesn't matter how hot it gets outside, the temp gauge stays put where it belongs.

Do the basics, friends. You own a vehicle that you like, now take care of it.

-DSM

 

[97gstjosh]

Has anyone of you members here ever though of giving your cooling system a total pressure flush out?

Taking the radiator off, blowing out all of the crud that sits in the bottom of the radiator and blowing out the water channels in the radiator itself with pressurized water?

While you have that radiator off, blowing out the block with the same pressure water and watch the rust come out?

I went through the same, even though my pump was new. Replaced the cap, new T-stat, took off the radiator and flushed the total crap out of it along with the block, put everything back together and it now, it doesn't matter how hot it gets outside, the temp gauge stays put where it belongs.

Do the basics, friends. You own a vehicle that you like, now take care of it.

-DSM

Had the same problem OP stated and did the same thing recommended above ^ and never had one problem with cooling after.. It is solid advice.

 

[dansan1988]

My radiator is new as of october, a mishimoto aluminum one... the cooling system was pristine as of march. I have just a regular turbo mani, no external nothin. The fmic is a tiny one which I chose because I knew phoenix is brutal in the summer months. The upper hose does get hard when it is running. I put some more coolant in and it was low so I am unsure if it is leaking on the freeway. I tried driving it last night in town and on freeway and it did not overheat. I keep my foot out of it because gas is pricey so I don't even boost 95% of the time.

 

[eclipse96dsm]

My radiator is new as of october, a mishimoto aluminum one... the cooling system was pristine as of march. I have just a regular turbo mani, no external nothin. The fmic is a tiny one which I chose because I knew phoenix is brutal in the summer months. The upper hose does get hard when it is running. I put some more coolant in and it was low so I am unsure if it is leaking on the freeway. I tried driving it last night in town and on freeway and it did not overheat. I keep my foot out of it because gas is pricey so I don't even boost 95% of the time.

so what are your plans to do to your car now?

 

[dansan1988]

Crush it... j/k. Probably replace the water pump gasket. That is my guess to what it is. I will drive it this weekend during the day when it hits 115 and see if it overheats again. Try and find the chink in the armor and fix it.