Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









Search Auto Parts

Coolant overflows when not overheating


  Email This Post



bwv2
New User

May 10, 2010, 2:56 PM

Post #1 of 9 (4500 views)
Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

Having some coolant issues. When my car gets up to operating temperature and then shut off, the expansion tank expels coolant (quite a bit) in spurts. The spurts seem to be caused by the radiator cap oening/closing as pressure builds and drops with each expulsion. This occurs even after a short test drive to get up to operating temp. Note that there is NO overheating of the engine. it operates well within its desired temp range while driving.

Here's some backgroudn info and things I've already tried:

I've replaced the thermostat, flushed and replaced the coolant, and bled the system with the engine running and heater on to remove any air pockets. I have ensured that the expansion tank has the proper fluid level after the system is bled. I have replaced the radiator cap and thermostat housing cap. There is no coolant in the oil, nor is there any oil in the coolant. When this occurs, I let the engine cool down, then I refill and bleed the coolant. Next time it gets up to temp, it overflows again. Ideas?


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

May 10, 2010, 7:26 PM

Post #2 of 9 (4494 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

It would help to know the year, make, mode & engine size of the vehicle we're talking about.........


bwv2
New User

May 10, 2010, 7:30 PM

Post #3 of 9 (4488 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

My apologies...

1993 Toyota Camry LE, V6. Manufactured in the 1st half of the year, which means it has the hydraulic cooling fan driven by the power steering fluid (stupidest idea EVER!)


re-tired
Veteran / Moderator
re-tired profile image

May 10, 2010, 7:58 PM

Post #4 of 9 (4483 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

Rent beg or borrow Radiator press tester . Pull spark plugs and pump pressure up to normsal pressure rating on cap .Let car set about 30 min . With pressure still on , crank over eng look for mist coming out of plug hole(s). Also check plugs for whitsh deposits . If either , leaking head gasket may be to blame . You can have cyl pressure into water jacket without water in oil.


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

May 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Post #5 of 9 (4481 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

I'm kinda thinking on the same lines as RT on this one since all the new parts the have been replaced.....


The only quick thing I would do 1st would be to make sure the hose going from the rad to the overflow reservoir is in good shape.....I see some before were weak that would collapse when the cooling system would go into a vacuum, so it could only fill the tank but not draw the coolant back out of it..........

Barring that, the head gasket really needs to be looked at like RT suggested.....


oilslick
New User

Jul 8, 2010, 8:05 AM

Post #6 of 9 (4448 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

Try replacing the "radiator cap" that is mounted on top of the thermostat housing - It may not holding proper pressure.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 8, 2010, 8:09 AM

Post #7 of 9 (4447 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

Sport - this thread is old! Hope it's all fixed by now,

T



oilslick
New User

Jul 8, 2010, 8:37 AM

Post #8 of 9 (4440 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

This vehicle may or may not have been fixed by now ... the requestor has not indicated fixed. Regardless, others with similar issues with this unique camry v6 design, could benefit from ideas posted herein.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 8, 2010, 8:52 AM

Post #9 of 9 (4436 views)
Re: Coolant overflows when not overheating Sign In

We do wish folks would come back and say what fixed the trouble and some don't. It's the way it is. This one smacks of a head gasket problem and probably was but we don't know unless WE are told what was found.

If you have an issue with your own post that as a new thread with the specifics to yours. Coolant overflowing when not overheating would be consistent with gaskets allowing combustion gasses to over pressurize the cooling system and would eventually overheat again from lack of coolant. That would apply to about any engine if so. All any of us can do is guess what the final problem was unless told and this one didn't say,

T







  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap