Coolant leak

Tiny
DN4192
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,500 MILES
My ford taurus has issues. The engine is damaged and is forcing air into the radiator causing a small loss of fluid via the resevior. I have kept a close eye on it and replaced the loss fluid. Then on Saturday I went to check the fluid and forgot to replace the radiator cap and drove the car for about 35-40 miles around town before remembering and putting the cap on. I had to put about a gallon of anti freeze back in to fill it up. But last night I stoped for gas and saw some fluid coming from underneath the radiator. But just that time, as I stopped later nothing and when I got home there was nothing. This morning I drove to work and nothing. What did I do to the radiator driving with the cap off? Why no discharge except at that one stop?
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 AT 9:32 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
If its leaking after engine off I would suspect a bad water pump

if cap wasn't on it may be the cause of the leak
I would still have the coolant system pressure checked for leaks
and I would not allow the engine to run hot into the danger zone
good luck
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Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
DN4192
  • MEMBER
  • 86 POSTS
Today before I left for work I added some fluid to the resivor but I think I may have overfilled. Yesterday when it wasn't overfilled I got no leakage, this morning when I got to work it leaked out some fluid. Could the overfill cause the leak?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Overfilling will cause leak
as engine heats up coolant level change and expand
if you have overfilled it the fluid has to go some where
and out it goes
I would still have the coolant system pressure check
goo luck
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
DN4192
  • MEMBER
  • 86 POSTS
So there is a hose attached to the overflow container? I have seen one on the top but can't see where it goes, would it carry the excess out?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 AT 5:12 PM

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