2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Dumping coolant but not overheating?

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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 11:14 PM
  #1  
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FL Dumping coolant but not overheating?

I am dring the car for a few miles and the coolant buzzer will go crazy. All of my coolant is spewing out of the overflow resevoir but my temp gauge is at the half way mark? I am having to refill the radiator every time the car runs for more than 1 mile? What could be wrong with the car? I am running a electric fan but it did it with the fan clutch as well? Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!!
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 11:18 PM
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Coolent seal is probably toast

If you have the engine run with rad cap off does it pour out/bubble?
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 03:00 AM
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replace your radiator cap. i had the same problem, spring goes soft and spits all your coolant out when you are not even over heating.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 04:22 AM
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if it isnt the second post, its the first. replace the radiator cap, if that doesnt fix it, do a compression test. I had the same problem for several months before my car started white smoking.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 04:47 AM
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I have noticed white smoke from the exhaust but no coolant smell. The motor has under 500 miles after the rebuild. I am running a factory radiator and have a radiator cap coming off the water neck on the motor. I am running factory seals that I will be replacing asap.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 09:31 AM
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+2 on replacing the radiator cap.

Have you tried hooking a pressure tester up to the coolant system?
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 09:47 AM
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The stock filler neck on an S5 (dunno about s4) can get worn out and not allow the cap to hold near as much pressure as it should and cause that. I had that happen with my stock rad along with the tiny crack that formed in the cap. Replacing the rad fixed that issue.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 08:07 PM
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I had that same problem, and replaced the radiator cap. it didnt fix the issue, and so i believe it could be the coolant seal. im doing a rebuild soon and will find out
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 08:31 PM
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Your not by chance the guy I saw Saturday night out in front of Twistie Treat with the white GTU that was dumping coolant all over the ground were you? Maybe I can come by and give you a hand.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 08:43 PM
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I have a red gtu, thanks! I replaced both radiator caps, took the car out and the buzzer came on. It wasn't dumping coolant until I opened the vent on the cap. I am also having a hell of a time getting the car started. I am going to pull the motor and open it up.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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I accidentally pinched a water seal on my first engine rebuild... Stupid Viton seals!

I'd do a pressure test first, to make sure, though but if that's the cause, definitely open it up while all you have to replace is the soft seals!
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 09:21 PM
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ya i think its going to be a re-rebuild
if ur having trouble getting it started then id say coolant is getting into the combustion chamber...
REALLY hope not tho!!!

altho the buzzer may still be on because the coolant sys is air locked, mine did the same thing
test the coolant system!
as far as hard to start maybe something unrelated
-fuel issue
-spark issue
-flooding (leaking injectors)

start at the test prob can get it done for free, if not still the cheapest and least time consuming place to start
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 09:35 PM
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I need to adjust my idle, its around 1500 rpm, I hope that solves that issue. Honestly, I am just going to park it and rebuild it. Thanks guys.
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 10:18 PM
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You don't HAVE to rebuild it now, you can try Red Devil or block weld, it'll seal the leak without ruining your cooling passages. You can research it if you'd like, theres lots of discussion here. Kevin Landers' method.

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/ro...oolantfix.html
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Old Mar 27, 2009 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by BUSTN
I need to adjust my idle, its around 1500 rpm, I hope that solves that issue. Honestly, I am just going to park it and rebuild it. Thanks guys.
Parking it is exactly what you should NOT do if you don't plan on working on it for a while. The coolant leaking in will destroy the internals if left for long enough. If your going to do that, drain the coolant system and put some 2-cycle in the motor.

Great link KhanArtisT. I've never seen that on their site before and my motor is starting to drink a little coolant. I'll definitely have to try that out this weekend.
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