RE: [DML] Overheating from Coolant Leak

["Tom Tait" <TTait@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul.  My experience was similar, I had to get home and figured I could
make it.  In my case the car stalled about a block from home, and I
ended up having to replace the head gaskets.  I hope your situation
differs.

 

Keep in mind that with a coolant rupture,  the temp gauge will be
inaccurate.  As soon as the coolant level drops below the sensor, it no
longer works properly.  I discovered this one day on the freeway when my
otterstadt clip failed and I dropped all my coolant in about 30 seconds.
I could see nothing wrong from inside the car at 60 mph, but another
motorist flagged me down and said I was leaking gas very badly (he
thought the fuel tank was in the back and the engine in the front for
some odd reason).  The temp gauge never moved.  On that occasion I was
able to re-insert the otterstadt and refill with coolant from a nearby
7-11 and had no lasting problems.

 

The two morals then are to stop the car immediately when you think you
may have a cooling problem, and to put a cable tie around the
otterstadt.

 

From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Paul
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 6:55 AM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [DML] Overheating from Coolant Leak

 

  

Last night, I was coming home and noticed white steam coming from the
engine compartment. I was only about a mile away from home, so I took a
chance and kept going, all the while watching the temp gauge go from
safe white to red area. By the time I got home, the gauge reached
between the top two red lines but didn't peg to the top yet. I pulled in
the garage and quickly shut it down, I discovered a short piece of hose
split in the engine compartment in the lower driver side, and released
all my coolant. I haven't started the car yet, and I ordered replacement
hose. I am nervous and hoping I didn't cause any permanent damage. Have
others heated the engine this much without damage? Fingers crossed - I
know, stupid for not stopping and taking care, but temp didn't jump to
unsafe area until the last 1/2 mile.

Thanks,

Paul





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