Overheating

[Alpha D]

Another Nightmare begins. So i just got back from driving my 91 talon Turbo. Over all driving time was about 30mins or so. No crazy Racing or anything like that. I did hit a snowbank. Not hard just some snow in the grill. From a failed drift attempt. While pulling the car in the drive way, in reverse i noticed my engine temp was reaching the red zone almost. So i shut of the car right away.

Popped the hood and the reservoir was just boiling. Coolant dripping on the floor. Hoses to hot to hold on to. I figured maybe the hose came loose. Everything was tight though. I searched around for a bit coolant seemed to be coming out one of the reservoir hoses *Picture bellow. Out of the bigger one. It was dripping badly more like pouring out. Yet the reservoir was full. So im lost please help. I dont know if the pictures will help at all.

Guesses:
-Busted Water pump (Doubt it its new)
-Low oil (Checked before i left couldnt be that) i checked it before taking of and it was still in between the marks
Blocked of radiator (Due to snowbank maybe? Shouldnt that help cooling it though)
How could i tell if the head perhaps is toast now or bottom end. Probably let it cool down and see if it will start?

Sorry for the novel i wrote. Any input would be appreciated. As well as what i should do to further diagnose this nightmare project i consider it now.

[Kracka]

Is the coolant in your radiator frozen? Do you for sure have a 50/50 mix?

[Alpha D]

No its all liquid. After it cooled down i opened the cap and its all fluid in there. So i dont think its frozen. If it was it should of melted though?

[Halon]

I would think if snow is stopping air from traveling through the radiator, that might be a bad thing.

Also, any idea if your fans are working? Any idea if your coolant was low from the get go?

If it were me, I would clear the snow off. I would fill it back up with coolant and make sure and burp the system to ensure there is no air in the system. When the car is up to temp, make sure the fans come on/off like they are supposed to. I would then do a compression test with the engine all nice and warm, because it may reveal head gasket damage. Then lastly if all of that is OK, I would do a cooling system pressure test. Any mechanic shop should have the equipment to pressurize your cooling system and see if it is leaking anywhere. If no problems are found. I would then drive it around awhile and make sure it's not overheating anymore. If it still is overheating, then I'd just start digging further. Maybe bad thermostat, clogged radiator, warped head, etc...

[Alpha D]

I cant say 120% because i didnt flush the system and refill it with my own fluid. It never overheated during the Really cold -digit days so that makes me pretty sure its a good mix.

[Matt D.]

If there was no air flow because the snow was clogging the radiator then I think you found your problem. Also make sure the fans are working correctly.

[Kracka]

Originally Posted by Alpha D

No its all liquid. After it cooled down i opened the cap and its all fluid in there. So i dont think its frozen. If it was it should of melted though?

If you don't have a proper mix your radiator will freeze solid and your engine will overheat. If it wasn't happening on the really cold days though then this is probably not the issue.

Like Brandon said, fill/burp the system properly, clear away any snow, and make sure your fans are working.

[Alpha D]

Guess ill do everything up to the coolant pressure since i have to take it to a shop for that. Warped head would be a heart breaker. Should i drain all of the coolant or just fill up the radiator. Then the reservoir leaving the reservoir cap open to burp the system and filling it with more coolant if needed?

[Kracka]

Fill up the system then massage the lower radiator hose to help work the air bubbles out. Take it for a drive and repeat.

[aaronspeed]

Was the upper and lower hose hot and was the heater core hoses hot? You could have a bad thermostat.

[Alpha D]

Ok im gonna go do that right now. This hasn't been a good weekend at all. When i am done with the above mentioned procedures guess itll be at least safe to start the car if it will start for that matter.

Thank you everyone for those lightening fast replays im already feeling a little better.

[Alpha D]

Originally Posted by aaronspeed

Was the upper and lower hose hot and was the heater core hoses hot? You could have a bad thermostat.

Everything was hot the upper one was to hot to hold on to. I did not check the lower one though.

[Alpha D]

Wow there was more snow as well as ice then i thought.

[Kracka]

Stop "drifting" into snowbanks

[Alpha D]

Im sorry it wont ever happen again . i didnt think i hit hard 2 I get a little jealous of you evo guys pawning snow like you do. That was some hard and compact snow all cleared up. Now refilling. I feel stupid there is no cap on the radiator lol. Must be the one by the elbow. Everyday i learn as i go with this car.

[Alpha D]

I think im gonna need a radiator flush soon. I can see little black debries when i massage the hose. >_< This is like having a baby gotta make it burb after being fed lol

[Alpha D]

Well i filled it up. All the snow is cleared. Good thing is it started. The temperature is right in the middle right now. Not going up or anything. Its smoking from the radiotor cap i thnik its cause i dropped spiloled some coolant on it i hope. My exhaust is still burning clean even if i give it decent amount of gas. The radiator cap/elbow (dont know the specific name for it) its still steaming or smoking whatever u wanna call it. Only problem next test is a compression test. Kind of hard by myself.

[Kracka]

Most compression test gauges will hold the needle until you release the pressure so you can very easily do it alone.

[Alpha D]

Alright im gonna take care of that. Ive been meaning to do one. Due to my numbers being so low from the day i bought it.

[Matt D.]

If there is any moisture on the outside of the coolant hoses/pipes or engine it is going to steam.