Steam under hood and fluid under car

Tiny
MINNIEMYAMOE
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 PONTIAC G6
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 191,000 MILES
Was driving the car home and things were fine. No check engine light, no other warning lights, car not overheating, all was well. Get home and as I back my car into the driveway the car cuts off, white steam is coming from under the hood (it was near the back of the engine). I got out of the car and saw in the front there was "fluid" running from under the car (it was flowing not just a drip). I waited maybe 5 minutes before opening the hood since the engine was hot and the steam cleared)I saw some wetness under the hood and the car would crank/turn over but it would not start. I'm attaching a photo of what I saw when I say "wetness". I'm not sure what it is but I did not smell anything (no burn smell, no sweet smell). It was nearly night but the fluid looked orange and "rainbowed" if that makes sense. I called a tow to come get the car but I'm curious to any idea what this is. Thanks!
Friday, December 6th, 2019 AT 10:13 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
No question that this is a coolant leak because your vehicle uses DEX Cool coolant which is orange and the rainbow that you are seeing is typical with coolant due to it having alcohol in it. Plus the steam is the water boiling off and creating steam. However, the only thing I am concerned about is it not restarting. The main reason for a coolant leak causing it to shut off is the engine overheated and warped the head and now there is no compression. So we need to be sure this is checked. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 6th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
MINNIEMYAMOE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for responding! I actually had a fuel pump replaced two weeks ago and after having the car towed, I was told the aftermarket pump is defective. I actually had to prime the pump by turning the switch on and off three times before I got the car to start. The shop is replacing the pump for me free of charge! Again, thank you so much!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 7th, 2019 AT 2:58 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links