Fixed with replacing the Radiator Cap.

http://i.imgur.com/SXzuBgU.jpg

Credits to:
Magna_Lad (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/member.php?u=11014)
barryb (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/member.php?u=48352)
Madmagna (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/member.php?u=18)
jimbo (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/member.php?u=21320)
TW2005 (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/member.php?u=14833)
flyboy (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/member.php?u=26475)

Thanks to all that helped!


Orignal post:

Hi,

I would need you guys' professional opinion about this.

Short story:

Drove my wife to an event, 10mins drive, went straight back to home after dropping her off. Parked the car, upon getting off the car I heard a noise that seems that someone is having a piss. Went to take a look at the front of the car and looked below and saw water/fluid coming out from the front of the passenger wheel. And you can barely make sense out of the sound that it's making (pissing sound) that there is real pressure on it. Popped the bonnet and tried to find where it's coming from (currently thinking that it could be an animal whose taking a piss while inside the engine compartment, cat maybe?). From the angle and side of where I can see its coming from, from looking below the car, two assumption came to mind, either the Battery Fluid or the Engine Coolant. Had a visual look on both, Battery is all clean. Took a look on the engine coolant tube, the white tube pointing up, and tell tale signs of water/fluid can be seen, also on the surround area of it. And I do think the engine coolant has been depleted. Looking at the manual, it says that this is a reserve engine coolant?

My question is how did this happen? and probably why?

I'm more worried that the car won't start tomorrow or will give me problems while driving, I'm hoping someone is still awake at this time (11:33pm Perth time). I might not use the car tomorrow, wouldn't take the risk having incurring more damage on the car without enough coolant. Dang.

Also, are engine coolants car specific?

Crossing fingers and hoping that there is no leak on it, and its not a massive problem (money wise).

Thanks guys, appreciate it.

Yeap thats the coolant overflow on the battery side. Engine coolant goes white when it dries. Pop the hood in the morning and take a good look at the spray patterns (if any). They can help you pinpoint the problem area, although it appears its from the passenger side... Check all the hoses on the passenger side for signs of leakage, id suggest filling the radiator and top up the overflow with coolant and turning the engine on, thatll be a quick way to find your problem...

Use green coolant, different engine types use different colours but third gens take the green stuff. To be honest id top it up with cheap pre-mix from the supermarket until find out where its coming from... dont use tap water unless you plan to completely flush the system after. 4L of cheap pre-mix will set you back about $7, buy 2... OR even just 4 x 2L bottles of demineralised water from the supermarket, whatevers cheapest... you'll want to atleast drain the radiator after fixing anyway. Then you can put the good stuff back in. Make sure you have 8L of whatever, in case your system is completely drained already...

Def dont drive while loosing coolant at this rate... how many Ks has your car done? Over 200k on original water pump? Symptoms dont suggest the pump, but check it anyway...

Goodluck mate, hope you get it sorted

Could be a simple fix like a radiator cap.

Just read your signature, you have a 3L engine? Same as my old TS. Still green coolant but water pump every 100K... not 200K like the 3.5L...

Major cooling component of coolant is the water, the "green stuff" is the anti corrosion formula... so its OK to just add demineralised water (not tap water) while you find the problem, just drain it out after problem fixed to put the proper coolant in. I wouldnt suggest pre-mixed once fixed though as Ive heard the ratio of water to coolant formula is very very low... its basically just demineralised water...

3.0 water pump every 200k, why does the engine size change the water pump frequency. Even the 12v motors get them every 200k with us.

You could have a cap issue but also could have a blocked overflow bottle, the hose goes in from the radiator to the bottom of the bottle, inside the plastic of the bottle there is a brass sleeve which can get blocked. Only way to clean properly is take out the bottle and flush it out, check the cap and go from there.

Issue with bottle is it will allow coolant to flow into the bottle but will block when the cooling system goes to draw coolant back, have seen this many times

Thanks for all the help.

It's a shame I couldn't fix it now. Got work to do. (and posting this while on the bus).

I really had no time to pop the bonnet this morning. But definitely will coming from work.

So as of the moment, we may have three culprits. Either radiation cap, blocked radiator tube to the bottom connector of coolant bottle, and/or leak.

Funny when I was looking around the forums, I read the same problem and got fixed by radiator cap..? (was really sleepy then) (sorry couldn't link, using mobile)

AFAIK, the car has ran 136k now. Got it from 126k almost a year ago.

I really do appreciate all the help guys. Will post back see what is going on. Thanks so much.

Edit: i remembered that upon ourchase of the car (weeks after), I had the car taken a look from our friend mechanic. Replaced a couple of things: spark plugs, seal for it, brake fluid, Engine coolant fluid, amongst other things.

Now what I can't remember is that if he just refilled the engine coolant, or completely flushed it then refill. Will that have any effect on it?

And yeah. Its the green stuff. ��

I hope I've bought the right one

http://i.imgur.com/Fi72fvt.jpg?1

Edit:
$8 from K-Mart (nearest from where I work).

I'm thinking it's more of a pin-pointing the problem so might not get fixed in one go if its gonna leak again, so go for cheap first. then if fixed, get the "best" one.

That $8 coolant only has 6% gylcol. You'd be better off buying demineralised water to top it up with untill you fix it. Then find out what coolant your mechanic friend put in and use that. Mixing different brands/types of coolant could cause you more problems.

UPDATE........

So. Was able to fiddle around a bit earlier tonight.

I've lifted the car up and have taken a look on the bottom of the bottle first to see if there is any hole/leak on it, and also to check the connection of the tube from the bottle to the radiator:

http://i.imgur.com/wAC5t5N.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UKX2TuI.jpg

Seems connection is still ok and is sealed. No signs that fluid came from this side. I'm looking of signs like the picture below. You can see definitely that fluid found its way out here.

http://i.imgur.com/0kjkDwg.jpg



So, I then have taken a look on the top part of the bottle:

http://i.imgur.com/OSVojDI.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VbpIQ8P.jpg

Seems that it has found its way from this hole that is on the bottle. you can see just below the bottle where the fluid came to be and probably because of the forward force of the car that the fluid drifted to the hole then down to the car.

Is this hole meant to be? If it did found its(fluid) way to this hole then that could probably mean that there is a force/pressure coming from the radiator that pushed the fluid all the way up to this hole.

The only other place for me to have a look is the radiator and radiator cap:

http://i.imgur.com/avXZBJd.jpg

Seems there is a bit of build up on the left hand side but I don't think it'll affect or incur the problem. Wont it?

Finally radiator cap:

http://i.imgur.com/EWS5iRv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/nGRKP1k.jpg

Now honestly, I don't feel good about the radiator cap. And honestly, I don't know if it still is good or not. I don't have any other radiator cap to compare it to.


Now, after all these. I literally wasn't able to do anything but to refill the radiator and bottle. So I filled the coolant bottle almost to the brim, and also the radiator itself.

Ran the engine, and bottle spit a few of the coolant. I think that was just about the excess of what I filled, then stopped spitting it and car was just running idle without no coolant overflowing. Then I took an almost 10mins drive to an almost consistent 70mph run hoping that I might heat up the engine. But I didn't think I've done well with that, could be because its a bit cold here now. Parked the car and waited about 2 to 3 mins if coolant will overflow, nothing.

I don't really know what's going on anymore. Wouldn't like to drive the car for a long one then suddenly car overheats without coolant. :eeek::eeek::eeek:





That $8 coolant only has 6% gylcol. You'd be better off buying demineralised water to top it up with untill you fix it. Then find out what coolant your mechanic friend put in and use that. Mixing different brands/types of coolant could cause you more problems.

I'll take that into consideration. I am actually thinking once fixed, I'll drain the coolant then put a different, probably better, one.


Thank you so much for all the help guys. I really appreciate you guys helping a noob. :woot::woot::woot:

That cap is knackered, looks OEM and falling apart. this is OEM brand new spare i keep in the glovebox. definitely invest some $$ and get decent coolant. Your motor deserves it.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=48532&d=1430570461

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=48531&d=1430570459

That cap is knackered, looks OEM and falling apart. this is OEM brand new spare i keep in the glovebox. definitely invest some $$ and get decent coolant. Your motor deserves it.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=48532&d=1430570461

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=48531&d=1430570459

Will do. Looking at supercheapauto's list of radiator cap, their specific to radiators, yeah? Fortunately google said SuperCheapAuto is open tomorrow at 8:30am as the nearest one from my place is just 2 mins drive. Hopefully by that drive the car hasn't really been heated up then change the cap. I know OEM is the best to go, but do you how much are they different price wise?

I hope this is the only problem.

Thank you so much for the help.

I am pushing more towards that the problem is the radiator cap. This fueled me up a bit on it: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/3-common-causes-for-coolant-leaks

Looks like the center part of the cap is missing which would prevent the radiator from pressurising.

I think i got a CPC cap in mine from REPCO, I got my oem online from japan which was cheaper than local but i was getting a mast too so freight was spread. I think $43 was local.

I'm sure the aftermarket tridon or CPC would be fine. The OEM is just a Nippon denso so that could be fitted to lots of cars . Just get the aftermarket and spend the $30 saved on other stuff . thermostats get tired with age too and start sticking.

Tridon Radiator Cap - CC1390
CPC 580-90

Looks like the center part of the cap is missing which would prevent the radiator from pressurising.

Looking at the pictures from what I took and the one from @TW2005 and SuperCheapAuto's (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Tridon-Radiator-Cap-CC1390.aspx?pid=328884&menuFrom=50505), I think you're right.

I think i got a CPC cap in mine from REPCO, I got my oem online from japan which was cheaper than local but i was getting a mast too so freight was spread. I think $43 was local.

I'm sure the aftermarket tridon or CPC would be fine. The OEM is just a Nippon denso so that could be fitted to lots of cars . Just get the aftermarket and spend the $30 saved on other stuff . thermostats get tired with age too and start sticking.

How difficult/easy is it to replace the thermostat, having a look at SuperCheapAuto's DIY guide (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/how-to/Servicing-Mechanical/Replacing-a-Thermostat.aspx?id=80), I know there are still a lot more to it than that.



Again guys, everyone, thank you so much for the help! :)

I suggest flushing the cooling ssytem out with water until clear and buy some decent coolant like Nulon long life green. I bought 5 litres for my magnas, I used around 4 litres or so for each car and then topped up with demineralised water. Lasts 4-5 years.

I agree, that caps not looking the best... a bit too rusty for my liking... how much premix did you need to put in? Did you give the hoses a good squeeze when you filled it up again? Was there any scrunching sound when you squeezed them? If there is, its a sign that the hoses are worn and need replacing... may not be the case but worth checking... had you noticed the condition of your coolant recently prior to the prob, ie colour? One thing i noticed is that your overflow bottle is clean, which is a good sign, no build up caused by a rusting radiator... How did the radiator look on the inside?

Keep some premix or demineralised water handy, especially if the prob didnt show straight away, id look at a new cap first.

Having read your first post again, you didnt note anything about the radiator cap...or the hissing noise coming from there... it was coming from the over flow bottle side? And you noted that there was signs of fluid around the bottle? Which you can see the remains of in one of your pics...

Someone correct me if im wrong, but from what MadMagna said, the coolant can flow into the bottle but gets trapped there.... your overflow was empty, so if the weak link was the overflow bottle cap, was there enough pressure built up in it to completely drain it, if it wasnt leaking from underneath...? Maybe the pressure build up unblocked it and the engine was able to draw back the remaining coolant in your over flow?

Keep an eye on this too..

Dont wait too long to put proper coolant in though... its probably best to do it now but its up to you. Get a new cap and maybe do a couple of short 20 min runs today, then put the nulon or equivalent in.

Good luck bro

UPDATE 2....

Sorry about the late post, watched the fight today. A bit disappointed with it.

Anyways, Woke up early and went straight to SuperCheapAuto to pick up the radiator cap (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Tridon-Radiator-Cap-CC1390.aspx?pid=328884) and also a 5L Nulon Pre-mixed (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Nulon-Long-Life-Anti-Freeze-Anti-Boil-Ready-to-Use-5-Litre.aspx?pid=106646&menuFrom=50501) coolant to use once everything is fixed. Went home immediately without dilly dallying. Drive was almost consistent 60mph in 20mins (first branch didn't have stock of the cap so need to get it from a different branch) going to and back. Checked the engine to see if there is any overflow, nothing. Might not tickled the radiator to heat up that much.

After a few mins, took this picture:

http://i.imgur.com/SXzuBgU.jpg

I was butt-kicked amazed the difference between the two. Left is old, right is new. Really excited for myself that this could definitely be the one causing the problem. Refilled the coolant first using the K-mart one almost to the brim, then put the cap on. I did this to make sure that the car won't be running dry if it is going to overflow upon driving. Took all the coolant with me on the car as a precaution, in any case.

Drove to the event area to watch the match, took the freeway for a 15mins drive. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take a look if there was overflow as we are running a bit late. Immediately as I parked, family picked up things and we went straight to the event.

===insert said match here===

after the disappointing match, and a few (and i mean, a lot) "professional" (lol) analysis of what happened, it's time to go home. This was the time that I had a look of what is left of the coolant. Popped the cap, everything seems to be ok as I can still see the coolant. Popped the overflow bottle cap and the coolant was still there, albeit just a bit less than my refill prior. I'm thinking the excess coolant must have been spitted out while on the way to the event. Did not refill coolant (a bit hesitant) and we are on our way.

Freeway drive, upon 15mins we are home. Popped the bonnet, popped the overflow cap to check the coolant, and I believe that it is still the same level prior to going home. Either this is because the cap worked, or the radiator might not be heated up properly as the drive home was much more colder as it was raining (I don't really think the latter happened as it was a 100mph drive for more or less 10mins, the engine should really be heated up).


My ears were clapping happily as the cap might have fixed the issue. (insert your imagination here) :)

To be honest, I will not say that this is problem fixed yet until further testing/driving is done. I will be using the car tomorrow with the K-Mart coolant just to test. Wednesday could be the deciding day if it is fixed or not yet. From tomorrow to Wednesday, drive will consist of dropping wife off to work then back to home (50-60mph drive in combined 35mins(max)), drive from home to uni then back home (50-60mph drive in combined 20mins(max)), and lastly picking up my wife.

Come Wednesday, if everything goes well, I'll be flushing the radiator (I don't know how to, that's going to be on another post) and overflow bottle then fill it with Nulon's.


@Magna_Lad
When I refilled the car on update 1, I used about 70%-80% percent of the bottle of the K-Mart coolant, so not sure about how many Ls. The radiator seems to be clean upon looking when you remove the cap. Squeezed the hoses and seems to be fine. No hard/built up/crusted part or felt while squeezing them. So hopefully I wouldn't need to replace them soon. But now that I'm typing this, probably upon flushing the radiator it might be a good idea to replace the hoses. The hoses that I've mentioned are the hoses connecting the radiator to the overflow bottle. I thought about the hoses connecting the radiator to the thermostat but I don't know where to start or if I can do it properly.


@TW2005
Having said about the above, I don't think the thermostat is faulty or locked (after a few researches a few days ago). Temp gauge on the dashboard seems to be saying that the temp is consistent on middle part of it to the low end and is starting from the low end (while car is off) then slowly rises to the middle (upon idle to driving). I honestly didn't see or had a look of the temp when the coolant was overflowing though.
I hope I don't jinx it. (crossing-fingers) :nuts:

I will be updating you guys of progress/happening/and-what-not all the way.

Thank you so much for all the help guys, I really appreciate it! Send me PMs about your smartphone problems, or find me in XDA-Developers forums and I'll help you out in return. :facejump::facejump::facejump:

never said the thermostat was faulty, it was just a preventative suggestion

never said the thermostat was faulty, it was just a preventative suggestion

And a preventive suggestion not taken for granted. Thanks for that mate. Actually, while on the topic, is there any "k"s that the thermostat starts to lock/stuck up?

Update 3.1

Dropped wife to work then straight back home. Had a look at the overflow bottle, everything seems to be alright. Coolant still there, albeit same level as yesterday's. So far so good.

And a preventive suggestion not taken for granted. Thanks for that mate. Actually, while on the topic, is there any "k"s that the thermostat starts to lock/stuck up?

Update 3.1

Dropped wife to work then straight back home. Had a look at the overflow bottle, everything seems to be alright. Coolant still there, albeit same level as yesterday's. So far so good.

no idea, as much as an age thing as it would be mileage nothing to stress about. My galant was 16yo and about 280 000k, had a seized open thermostat when I got it. they can jam open or closed.

Yep, I'd say problem solvered. Well done.

Cap wasn't holding pressure, causing large amounts of coolant into overflow. Overflow was, well, over flowing and then as the engine cooled it was pulling the coolant (and eventually air) back into the radiator. Symptoms: overheating engine and continual loss of coolant as you kept topping it up.


Popped the overflow bottle cap and the coolant was still there, albeit just a bit less than my refill prior.

This is probably just due to some air in the cooling system. Now it's been burped out, and the level dropped a little, it will remain constant now.

Just check a couple of times over the next week to be sure.

Nice one mate! Good to see its looking like just the cap, thanks for the updates

Final Update:

As of tonight, I am happily reporting that the Radiator Cap replacement has fixed the issue. No more overflowing from the overflow, and coolant is stable.


Thank you all for the help! Really appreciate.

Now let's move to a different post.

Mod:
Please add to thread title "[FIXED]". I have updated OP as well, credit is up.

Wow, so there are several minutes of dribble I will never get back....

So in summary for those with lives....guy had a broken radiator cap, he went to supercrap auto and got the cheapest one he could and fixed the issue.

There you go, without line after line of rubbish no one cares about....