A lil over heating problem

[b00st3d]

I got my 91 corolla, I have driven it for a while now (about 4months), well last weekend it overheated,

prior to it overheating the car sat for about 4 days and I got back from vacation went to use it and could not even get around the corner, Touched the radiator cap and it was cool I was like WTF . so I figured it had no coolant. let it cool and removed the plug for the radiator and not a drop of water.

added some water "I did not have any coolant with me" and dorve it around for about 40minutes and no problem , parked the car and there is a stream of water about 3" wide. so I look under the car and about the middle of the engine bay and the water is cascading down, not a lot but not a lil either, steaming boiling hot water is comming down and this morning of course it is empty.

I have not removed the plastic cover under the car, to see where it may be comming from, but I hope it is just a hose not the block or radiator itself.

[Bitter]

probably a rotten hose.

[Crowbar911]

Im not sure what caused your original lack of coolant, but the reason your car steamed after driving around for 40 mins is because it was 100% water, no collant. The coolant prevents water from boiling into steam, which would have gushed out like it did. You can add water to a system, but do not drive it around with just water alone, it should be 50/50 mix of water and coolant.(you can buy it pre mixed, its the easy way to go).

[b00st3d]

Originally Posted by Crowbar911

Im not sure what caused your original lack of coolant, but the reason your car steamed after driving around for 40 mins is because it was 100% water, no collant. The coolant prevents water from boiling into steam, which would have gushed out like it did. You can add water to a system, but do not drive it around with just water alone, it should be 50/50 mix of water and coolant.(you can buy it pre mixed, its the easy way to go).

Yeah I know that, but I did not have any and it held all the water until I stopped driving it I hope it is just a hose I just bought some coolant and I'll be checking that out tonight take the cover off add some more water and see where the leak is comming from.I really dont want to waste $10.00 of coolant looking for a leak

Thanks

[Crowbar911]

I just did a flush and refil on my 01.

I took of the pipe that went into the radiator from the block. I put a garden hose in it, and forced all the coolant from the radiator and the block out that hose. If you do this slowly, it might show you where the leak is. But, this is in a 01, your system is different, but in theory, should be the same.

[ghost_ryder35]

bad hose, maybe the one right next to the thermostat (lower radiator hose)

[Tavel]

Originally Posted by Crowbar911

Im not sure what caused your original lack of coolant, but the reason your car steamed after driving around for 40 mins is because it was 100% water, no collant. The coolant prevents water from boiling into steam, which would have gushed out like it did. You can add water to a system, but do not drive it around with just water alone, it should be 50/50 mix of water and coolant.(you can buy it pre mixed, its the easy way to go).

not true. the pressure of the system keeps the water from boiling, not additives. Thats why the entire content of the radiator will flash boil in your face if you open the cap.

coolant is used for it's anti-corosion and lubricating properties, and of course to lower freezing point...NOT to increase the waters boiling point.

Running with straight water is perfectly fine and will actually provide better cooling than 50/50 coolant/water becase water holds more heat than coolant (specific heat capacity)...HOWEVER running it for a long time will cause excessive corrosion and wear.


The water was boiling when it leaked out because it was no longer under pressure, not because it didn't have coolant

[Crowbar911]

Originally Posted by Tavel

not true. the pressure of the system keeps the water from boiling, not additives. Thats why the entire content of the radiator will flash boil in your face if you open the cap.

coolant is used for it's anti-corosion and lubricating properties, and of course to lower freezing point...NOT to increase the waters boiling point.

Running with straight water is perfectly fine and will actually provide better cooling than 50/50 coolant/water becase water holds more heat than coolant (specific heat capacity)...HOWEVER running it for a long time will cause excessive corrosion and wear.


The water was boiling when it leaked out because it was no longer under pressure, not because it didn't have coolant

hmm... I never knew that. I guess you learn something every day.

Thank you for the correction

[Tavel]

Originally Posted by Crowbar911

hmm... I never knew that. I guess you learn something every day.

Thank you for the correction

no problem.

I'm not sure if you learn something new every day...i bet if you really tried, you could sleep all the way through lol

[b00st3d]

yep it was a hose not the lower hose directly to the radiator but the lower hose behind the engine on the right side,

Thanks