Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Busted Head Gasket?

[HookMeUp]

When I was checking all the fuilds yesterday I noticed that the antifreeze was down to the add mark on the overflow bottle. I fired it up and opened the radiator cap and all looked good, no bubbles or oil. I ran my errands and when I got back checked the overflow bottle again and it's a couple inches above the add mark. When I tried to open the radiator cap to first notch antifreeze went all over the place. Is this normal while the engine is running or do I have a problem?

 

[johncameron]

I know one thing, NEVER OPEN THE RAD CAP WHEN HOT!!! The fluid could be well over 210F and that could seriously burn you. The system is pressurised.



John

 

[RAMICATOR]

everything sounds ok to me. when the coolant expands, the execess gets pushed out the cap to the over flow, i think it takes 16 psi to open into the over flow. and if the motor is hot and you open the cap it will come out because your whole cooling system is under pressure when hot.

 

[HookMeUp]

I know one thing, NEVER OPEN THE RAD CAP WHEN HOT!!! The fluid could be well over 210F and that could seriously burn you. The system is pressurised.



John

I know that, that's why I only opened it to the first stop.

 

[59Turbo]

probably ok

If you headgasket was blown bad enough the the cooling system would pressurize almost as soon as you started it. What you are describing sounds normal. Do you have good heat? Does it overheat? Is the temp gauge erratic or does it pretty much stay in the middle? I think your ok.

 

[azpete]

Mine has done the same thing for the past few years. I change the fluid every year and fill the bottle to the full mark. Check it after afew days and down to the add mark. Refill and within afew weeks back down to the add mark. Do again and same result.



Can't spot any leaks and oil tests OK. Not going to worry about it since once it gets down to the add level it never drops any lower.



Did just buy a new radiator cap to see if maybe that's the problem.

 

[HookMeUp]

If you headgasket was blown bad enough the the cooling system would pressurize almost as soon as you started it. What you are describing sounds normal. Do you have good heat? Does it overheat? Is the temp gauge erratic or does it pretty much stay in the middle? I think your ok.

Temp runs up to 190° then will cool back down to about 180°, and flucuate between the two. It has good heat and has never overheated.

 

[CumminsAholic]

I had a problem with mine. Whenever I filled up the coolant bottle it'd always empty out, all over the inner fender, But If I didn't fill it, the fluid in the radiator would never go below 2" from the top. I just thought the tank leaked, but when I checked it it didn't have any holes . I ran like that for 2 years. No overheating, no fluctuating temps, everything normal. Well when I o-ringed the head and changed the gasket this year the leak stopped, bottle stays full. Must have been a bad gaksket. Also there was no oil in the antifreeze or vise versa. I think you're fine, I just wanted to give a heads up on what happened to me.

Corey

 

[HookMeUp]

Looks like I don't need to worry about this. Thanks for all of the input guys.

 

[TowPro]

Don't it say to check the overflow bottle hot? Yes the level will go higher as the fluid expands inside the closed system.