2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 128, xxx miles

Tiny
HEATHERKEUNG
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHRYSLER PACIFICA
  • 128,000 MILES
2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 128, xxx miles. As I was driving the car today I felt the heater in the car start blowing cold air. Stopped at a stop sign and the car stuttered and died. I put the car in park and restarted. Drove a short distance and the coolant light came on and temp was on red. Pulled over and turned the car off. Opened the hood and the top radiator hose was off and had spewed the coolant all over the engine and hood. Looked like the coolant came out of the hose, hit the fans behind the radiator and sent it around the engine bay. No coolant in the tank. A man in a Pacifica pulled over and he looked at the hose and was able to put the hose back on. I added 1 gallon of coolant to the tank, started the car and temp was normal and light was off but had the car flat bed towed home anyway. Tow company had me start the car and drive it off the flat bed and into my driveway as well. As it was sitting on the driveway there was dripping of the coolant under the radiator and under the tank where we poured it in (we didn't have a funnel and made a mess). I used some warm water with a little soap and poured it over the parts inside that had been covered in the coolant since it is corrosive. I went out and checked it recently and it looks like all the moisture on the ground is drying up and I don't see any new coolant dripping. The tank is empty though but I now realize that it needs over 2 gallons to totally fill it. I have not started it since I drove it off the tow truck.

Any ideas on why? Car is overdue for an oil change and I have not changed the timing belt/water pump yet.
Thursday, December 13th, 2012 AT 6:57 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
You said hose was off. That could be it in a nutshell. Unless you failed to notice an overheat in progress prior to event. I would keep adding coolant until overflow stays level. You can do this by adding while cold, running up to normal temp, shut off, repeat until level stays. Then try driving car and see how it acts. Also you may have a small leak that let coolant level drop causing incedent. Just keep an eye on level for awhile.
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Thursday, December 13th, 2012 AT 7:11 AM
Tiny
HEATHERKEUNG
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  • 4 POSTS
Yes, nothing prior to this. It's just a higher mileage car but it was been pretty reliable so far, only needing AC repair, brakes, tie rods, and now this.

Would I have an issue with adding coolant and not bleeding the line/burping the line? I don't know how to do this but many things I have read said that if you don't do this, the possibility of more damage or the heater not working is high.

Do you think I could have done any damage to the engine by driving it briefly (and I mean briefly, like 10 seconds) while it was overheating?

Thanks for the prompt repl.
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Thursday, December 13th, 2012 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
First, the overheat was severe to build that much pressure.

It happened for a reason. Could be a thermostat but needs to be checked. Get a leak down test done as it may have damaged the head gaskets from this. The fact that it shut off is not good.

Get it checked asap. I would not drive it till you have an answer as to why it happened and what damage is done

Roy
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Thursday, December 13th, 2012 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
HEATHERKEUNG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
After having it parked on the driveway overnight, there is a line of drips along the ground under the radiator.

The mechanic is coming this afternoon to check it here so it will not be driven anywhere.
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Thursday, December 13th, 2012 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
HEATHERKEUNG
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  • 4 POSTS
Mechanic came, it was leftover coolant from the spray, not anything from the radiator. Checked the t-stat, fine. Filled it up with proper amount of coolant, bled the lines, drove it around and all is good. Hooked up his computer to check for codes since my engine light was on (and has been for ages). EGR valve needs replaced but I knew that already.

$20 plus parts and all is good. Plus, this guy is going to replace my brakes, ball joints, ERG sensor, and do a timing belt/water pump change for $100 plus parts. Amazing man and really nice guy.

Thank you for all your help. Hopefully I won't be back but I know where to come if I need assistance!
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Thursday, December 13th, 2012 AT 11:24 PM

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