Radiator Steaming
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- Make Haste -
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,648
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From: Calgary, Alberta
Radiator Steaming
I would have posted this in my other thread but i cant seam to find it....
my car was parked for 2weeks in the garage and such, we have had anywhere from -10celcius to -30celcius weather this winter, i went into the garage to check the tire pressure and such on my 7, i checked the coolant and it's only good till -20celcius!...
people have told me it should be fine and not to worry since it is parked in the garage, what do you guys think?...
on a side note, i started it today and let it run for 15-20mins because it was really nice out, +6celcius and all, i had the hood up and noticed steam comming from my radiator fill cap, i looked closer and it was not only steaming but driping aswell....
i turned the car off, let it cool for a few mins and took the cap off, looked at it, seamed fine then checked the coolant level, didnt need any since i filled it a few dayz ago but i topped it up that little bit anyways....
started the car again, let it idle for another 10mins or so ( half hour in total ) and it was steaming and dripping again....
i dont understand why it's doing this, anyone have any idea's?...
i should also add that i watched the temp. guage the whole time and it never went past half way....
my car was parked for 2weeks in the garage and such, we have had anywhere from -10celcius to -30celcius weather this winter, i went into the garage to check the tire pressure and such on my 7, i checked the coolant and it's only good till -20celcius!...
people have told me it should be fine and not to worry since it is parked in the garage, what do you guys think?...
on a side note, i started it today and let it run for 15-20mins because it was really nice out, +6celcius and all, i had the hood up and noticed steam comming from my radiator fill cap, i looked closer and it was not only steaming but driping aswell....
i turned the car off, let it cool for a few mins and took the cap off, looked at it, seamed fine then checked the coolant level, didnt need any since i filled it a few dayz ago but i topped it up that little bit anyways....
started the car again, let it idle for another 10mins or so ( half hour in total ) and it was steaming and dripping again....
i dont understand why it's doing this, anyone have any idea's?...
i should also add that i watched the temp. guage the whole time and it never went past half way....
Last edited by Archangels; Dec 9, 2005 at 04:13 PM.
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Thread Starter
- Make Haste -
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,648
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From: Calgary, Alberta
Originally Posted by papiogxl
my guess would be the cap is allowing pressure to escape an then the vapor is condensing on the much cooler metal outside of the cap
it only steams and such when it's really warm or hot....
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
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From: Rohnert Park CA
did you check for leaks???
Plastic rad tops/ end caps (instead of alum) tend to get pin hole cracks that leak as you describe with age.
Overheated, generally means you would be leaking internally not externally
Plastic rad tops/ end caps (instead of alum) tend to get pin hole cracks that leak as you describe with age.
Overheated, generally means you would be leaking internally not externally
the plastic housings can warp causing the cap to not seat properly, imo i would replace both the cap and the plastic housing it sits on, they can also crack which is hard to see sometimes(if it is the radiator filler neck then the radiator needs to be repaired or replaced).
if you still are having doubts then try not being so lazy, clean the area and fill the cooling system, start the car and watch the area where the leak is with your eyeballs: where the leak looks like it is coming from probably is where it is leaking from. i don't get why people make leaks out to be rocket science...
if you still are having doubts then try not being so lazy, clean the area and fill the cooling system, start the car and watch the area where the leak is with your eyeballs: where the leak looks like it is coming from probably is where it is leaking from. i don't get why people make leaks out to be rocket science...
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Dec 10, 2005 at 01:04 PM.
Thread Starter
- Make Haste -
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,648
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From: Calgary, Alberta
i dont have plastic end tanks either, they are aluminum....
and i have tried to check where the leak is comming from, i see no cracks or leaks of any kind, the steam itself came from under the cap....
there was another little spout of steam aswell but i assume it was burning run-off....
and i have tried to check where the leak is comming from, i see no cracks or leaks of any kind, the steam itself came from under the cap....
there was another little spout of steam aswell but i assume it was burning run-off....
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 35
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From: Vallejo, Ca
Damn... If you dont know how old your radiator is.. or you got your car second hand... You should invest in a new radiator, buy new radiator caps, 2 new radiator hoses (one on top and one on the bottom) when you instert the radiator hose on the top, make sure it does not come in contact with the air filter box. and also buy a new thermostat.. That should solve yo problem!
Just start cheap and go up from there. Radiator caps cost pocket lint. just buy one and if for the off chance thats not it (im sure it is the prob) your only out 10-15 bucks spent on a part that probibly needed a replacement anyways
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