coolant spray

[EclipticalGS]

well, i have a 420a obviously, yesterday, while the engine was completely cooled off i filled the t-neck valve completely full. Then filled the overflow bin to cold.

Was i wrong in doing this while the engine was cold??? because i got to work today and my car was smoking from burning radiator fluid and it smelt like ass.

Also, i was checking my coolant temp, and it never went above 1/4 temp.

The spray spot on the hood is right above the radiator almost and above the radiator cap.. is there a certain pressure on those caps?? and i just re-did all my coolant stuff 4-5 months ago, and it was down about 3/4 of a full jug yesterday.. Small leak somewhere?! I think so!!!

 

[Joshky9]

You have to clarify a bit more if by T-neck valve you mean water neck or where you fill your coolant(not your coolant reservoir). Then yes essentially you want to fill it till it almost overflows then fill your coolant reservoir up to the fill line. What may have happened from what I can gather is either you spilled the excess coolant on something in the engine bay that gets hot ie: (head, valve cover, exhaust manifold etc.) or your radiator cap is taking a crap on you and letting pressurized coolant mist out of the top. Either way may be a good idea to replace the radiator cap soon if its been on the car for a while. As you thought there could also be a leak somewhere else in the system. Tough to see without being there or some sort of pics but hope I could help somewhat.

 

[fuegoazul]

The best way to find a coolant leak is to use a coolant system pressure tester. It's a cap that fits on your radiator which has a fitting on the top that's connected to a rubber hose that's attached to a hand pump. The pump has a psi gauge on it so you know how much pressure you're applying to the system. Cooling systems usually operate around 10 psi. When you preform the test pump it up to 10 psi. If you have a large leak you should see or hear it by now. You know you have a leak if the gauge doesn't stay at 10 psi or you see antifreeze leaking. If the gauge holds steady at 10 psi with no leaks bring it up to 15 psi. Any small leaks will show up now. If your gauge holds steady and you see no leaks then check your radiator cap. The tester kit usually comes with an adapter to check the cap also. You can buy the tester at most parts stores or tool distributors, or some autoparts stores will rent them to you. Good Luck.

 

[Defiant]

Sounds like your cap needs replacing.