well i guess there is a first time for everything. i was going to the dentist today and when i pulled into the parking lot smoke started to come from under the hood. so i pop it up and i smells like coolant. i look on the ground and sure enough there is a puddle of coolant. not to sure on what it could be. im new to fds and dont know alot about the cooling system on them. any ideas?

 

Maybe you old AST or old coolant lines just broke. If your not too good with engine stuff there are many guys in your area that are.

 

Also, have a look at your radiator. Last week mine split at the seam between the aluminum fins and the plastic caps. Try to find the highest point on the engine where coolant is visible. It may be a little harder to see everything if your engine compartment is stock.

 

You should replace everything cooling system related to be safe. thermostat, radiator, radiator hoses (preferable silicone), etc....
and PRAY you didnt murder your coolant seals in your engine or you will be needing an engine rebuild soon if you overheated too bad

 

Something very similar happened to me when I pulled into work a few years back. For me it was the stock AST that had split at the horizontal seam. I start or move the car until I replaced the AST (in the parking lot after work). Luckily was able to run to Tri-point at lunch to get a replacement AST.

 

thanks guys i found it. it was the coolant line under the air pump going to the turbos. hard little thing to get to had to take the air box, air pump, and all the crap off to get to it. but the good news is thats all it is!

 

I hope you replaced both of the lines down there.

Ideally, replace all the coolant hoses together, and not worry about hoses for another 10 years.

 

My recent experience, last week was a fairly small leak in the heater by-pass hose to the water pump. The main failure point was the thermostat which got stock leading to the excessive heat and pressure to the system. Looking at the factory gauge you could hardly tell the car was running at 118C. Getting a good aftermarket gauge could save you $3000 in addition to helping you troubleshoot the problem.

On the factory gauge normal is about 9:00 or just below for some cars. A hair above is way above normal and if it goes to hot shut it off!

 

thanks guys

 

that happened to me too..ended up going single...lol...