2003 Buick Rendezvous steam

Tiny
KEMA23
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Steam is coming through my air vents and vehicle us running hot although there is antifreeze in the radiator and reservoir
Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 8:47 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 684 POSTS
Does the steam coming out of the vents smell sweet and/or leaving residue on the windshield?
If so, it sound like there is a coolant leak in your dash. The heater core is in there and coolant flows through it. One option is to find the leak and repair/replace parts ( which is usually accompanied with high labor costs) or option two, plug or bypass the heater core so coolant doesn't flow through the heater core any more. Doing this will prevent you from having heat from your air conditioner.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 9:31 PM
Tiny
KEMA23
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It smells like heated radiator fluid coming through.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 9:35 PM
Tiny
KEMA23
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Could it be the thermostat
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 684 POSTS
Yes it sounds like coolant
Yes it is possible for leaking coolant vapor/steam to be sucked into the interior of the vehicle with the blower motor running. If the thermostat gasket is leaking coolant then you should be able to smell it. Do not allow the engine to overheat as it can damage the engine. A coolant leak will cause the engine to run hot.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
KEMA23
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OK. Thank you so much!
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 684 POSTS
Your welcome
Thanks for the question
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 10:20 PM

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